Was Martin O'Neill's Celtic Old Firm Team Selection a Mistake?

Tounekti’s role in Celtic’s attacking trio was not the only selection issue O’Neill faced before the match.

Camilo Duran had impressed as the central striker while Kasper Hogh, another expensive summer arrival, was sidelined through injury.

Once Hogh returned to fitness, however, the Danish forward started at McDiarmid Park and again led the attack at Ibrox, forcing Duran into a wider position.

Neither player had much influence, and former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday delivered a particularly harsh verdict on Hogh’s display.

“Kasper Hogh’s Celtic performances have been inconsistent so far, but today he was completely ineffective,” Halliday told Premier Sports.

“Whether in possession or without it, he showed no urgency and little determination to track back and help his teammates defensively.”

Hogh was withdrawn after 64 minutes, allowing Duran to move into the central role, but he was also replaced 13 minutes later when Shim Mheuka entered the game.

O’Neill also changed the central defensive partnership of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty, who had started seven of Celtic’s opening nine matches. Kieran Tierney returned on the left, while Liam Scales moved inside to play alongside Carter-Vickers.

The selection of on-loan Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who had also played at St Johnstone, was somewhat unexpected because Viljami Sinisalo had recorded four clean sheets in eight outings this season.

Although the 33-year-old produced several smart stops in Perth, he appeared short of sharpness at Ibrox, which was understandable given that this was only his second competitive match since March.

Rangers forward Kevin Kelsy missed a good early opportunity after Johnstone’s clearance fell directly to him. Later, Scales cleared Kim Min-Su’s attempt off the line after the former England international pushed a cross into the attacker’s path.

For the remainder of the contest, Rangers fans taunted Johnstone whenever he received the ball.

“Whenever a team loses, the starting selection inevitably comes under consideration,” O’Neill said after the match.

“I will first examine my own contribution to what happened, and then we will assess everything else. I wanted the players to understand what this atmosphere feels like, and they certainly experienced it today.”