The Ice Cool Fridge
The victory at Ibrox was really more about team resolve and many players doing their jobs, within a system that flexed to the game state.
However, convention dictates their has to be a Bhoy of the Match as I cringingly call my own virtual bottle of Bells (other substandard blended drinks are available).
The American lad from Southend-on-sea who is built like an American refrigerator from the 1950’s, it’s not a surprising choice.
Defending
He led the team with 89% Defensive Action Success Rate.
Despite losing a headed duel with Goldson who had been pushed up front late in the game, he was 5/1 on aerial duels and won his only tackling duel. In addition, he intercepted twice successfully.
I suspect he was not as busy as many thought. Starfelt also had 7 clearances.
Remarkably, Bitton, only on the park 28 minutes, led the way with 9 successful challenges / intercepts.
Mainly though, Carter-Vickers dominated his opponent, Roofe, especially aerially, and ensured the barrage of 41 crosses had minimal efficacy.
Distribution and Attack
Scorer of the winning goal with a predatory finish in the 43rd minute, Carter-Vickers other main contribution was in breaking The Rangers initial press.
His 11 Pack Passes was the most. And this was from only 28 completed passes overall.
Joe Hart led the team with 33 completed passes! I believe this is a first.
A well-deserved Bhoy of the Match then, defensively rock solid and making the difference both in distribution and ultimately in scoring.
These awards are like a magnet to this fridge.
(Coat, got, outta here)