Who won the key battles at Parkhead in the Glasgow derby match between Celtic and Rangers?

Neither Scott Sinclair or Kieran Tierney behind him managed to get the better of the Northern Ireland internationalist during the match.

The 25-year-old had, despite not starting a game in three weeks, the confidence to walk the ball past Sinclair in his own half. He also did well to intercept an attempted Tierney pass to his team mate.

Sinclair has been Celtic’s most consistent performer this season and arguably the best player in Scotland. But he was, by his own exceptionally high stands, quiet yesterday. Much of the credit for that must go to Hodson. He rose to the occasion and performed with aplomb.

How would the Championship champions have fared in the top flight this season if the defender had been given a more regular game? He may lack the explosive pace of Tavernier and might not offer his side as much going forward. But he deserves to retain his place under new manager Pedro Caixinha on the evidence of this strong showing.

WINNER – HODSON.

DEMBELE v WILSON

DANNY Wilson was omitted from the Rangers squad altogether on the last occasion the Ibrox club travelled across the city to play Celtic at Parkhead back in September.

But the suspension of Rob Kiernan, and the fact that Philippe Senderos was the only other option at centre back, meant he found himself in the starting line-up alongside Clint Hill yesterday.

He had quite a job on his hands shackling lone Celtic striker Moussa Dembele. The French striker was the top scorer in Scotland with 32 goals to his name and has scored in the first three Glasgow derbies of the season.

Wilson may have struggled to match his opponents’ aerial prowess and physicality at times. But the Scot acquitted himself admirably in demanding circumstances. The first goal wasn’t his fault.

He did well to react when the prolific forward received the ball from Nir Bitton just before half-time. Falling further behind at that time would have been fatal to the visitors’ chances. Dembele barely troubled Wes Foderingam all game and Wilson had a great deal to do with that.

The 20-year-old did get the better of Wilson and get a shot away with five minutes remaining. However, Foderingham was well positioned to stop his effort and it flashed across the front of goal.

WINNER – WILSON.

GORDON v WAGHORN

MARTYN Wagorn hasn’t enjoyed the best of times in Old Firm games during his two seasons at Rangers. The striker missed the Scottish Cup semi-final win at Hampden last April and has started on the bench in the three previous meetings with Celtic this season. He failed to score in any of those outings after coming on as a substitute.

The Englishman’s barren run continued yesterday, but only due to the excellence of goalkeeper Craig Gordon in front of him. The forward worked tirelessly and managed to get a decent shot on target in both the first and second halves of an encounter his team competed well in.

In the 15th minute he was sent clean through on goal by Kenny Miller. But his right foot shot was brilliantly denied by the outstretched leg of the Celtic keeper. Perhaps the Rangers man could have done better. But there could be no denying the quality of the block.

The evergreen Miller was again the provider in the 71st minute with a deft cut back. But the goalie anticipated the volley, came off his line to narrow the angle and saved it superbly.

It was little wonder that Brendan Rodger, the Celtic manager, lavished praise on a player who this week put pen to paper on a lucrative contract extension afterwards. “He is now one of the top goalkeepers in Europe for me,” said Rodgers. “You saw that with his performance today. When he had to make big saves he made big saves. He was first class.”

Waghorn made way for Michael O’Halloran late on. He could hold his head high having worked tirelessly to create an opening during his time on the park. But the 27-year-old’s wait for a goal in the Glasgow derby match continues.

WINNER – GORDON.