Daizen Maeda will grab most of the headlines after Celtic’s 3-1 win over Rangers, but Chris Sutton picked out two other players he felt changed the level of the side completely on Sunday afternoon.

Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston both played huge roles in the victory at Celtic Park as Martin O’Neill’s side moved to within one point of Hearts with two matches remaining.

3EECBYP Tempers flare between Rangers’ Tuur Rommens and Celtic’s Alistair Johnston during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday May 10, 2026.

Engels was at the centre of most of Celtic’s best football once they settled into the game. Rangers caused problems early on when they broke quickly through midfield, but the Belgian gradually took control with his movement and energy.

His pass into Yang Hyun-jun for the equaliser was excellent.

The timing of the run and the weight of the cutback gave Yang a simple finish, but the move started because Engels kept driving Celtic forward instead of slowing the game down.

Johnston’s return has also changed Celtic physically.

For long periods this season Celtic looked vulnerable on the right side without him. Rangers targeted that area regularly in previous derby matches because Celtic lacked recovery pace and support for the winger ahead of the full-back.

Sunday looked different.

Johnston still picked up a yellow card after a late challenge on Mikey Moore, but he handled the winger much better after the opening stages and gave Celtic constant width going forward. His overlapping runs also created space for Luke McCowan during the first half before Yang switched over to the right after the break.

Sutton focused on both players after full-time while also dismissing claims Johnston should have seen red.


The Johnston challenge quickly became a talking point online after the match, especially among Rangers supporters. Nick Walsh booked the Canadian immediately and VAR never upgraded it.

Looking back at the incident, the booking always felt the correct call.

Johnston caught Moore late, but there was no real force through the tackle and the Rangers winger was already moving away from danger near the touchline.

3EECDJA Rangers manager Danny Rohl during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday May 10, 2026.

Celtic were the better side by that stage anyway.

Once Engels started controlling the tempo in midfield and Johnston pushed Rangers backwards down the flank, the game tilted heavily towards O’Neill’s side. Maeda then finished it off in spectacular fashion.