Michael Beale must raise Rangers standards to bridge Celtic gap and handling of Alfredo Morelos baffles me - Chris Sutton

Todd Cantwell's two biggest Old Firm contributions so far have been to wave his arms in the air to try and rouse the Rangers fans and move a water bag to stop Reo Hatate getting a drink.

The Japanese’s first two involvements in the fixture after arriving in Glasgow were to smash two goals past Allan McGregor. Alfredo Morelos huffed and plodded his way around while sticking his face into Joe Hart. Kyogo Furuhashi smiles and rockets across the turf while sticking the ball in the net. Ryan Kent made one Hampden run and virtually gave up. Daizen Maeda made about 100 of them in the same game. Malik Tillman flattered to deceive with no goals against Celtic. Jota has hit the winner in the last two.

These are just some reasons why Ange Postecoglou’s team are champions and Michael Beale’s men are playing this lunchtime for nothing other than pride. There is a gap in quality between Rangers and Celtic. A difference in ability to produce when it really counts. That, of course, can be changed. Beale’s going to rebuild, so better players can come in which opens that opportunity. But what is far, far more important is the setting of standards and demands.

Beale has to get that spot on if he is to have any hope of overhauling Celtic next season and, with that in mind, the whole Morelos affair in the past few weeks has left me bemused. Last weekend, Beale basically came out and said what everybody could see for weeks. That the Colombian was leaving and he wasn’t very fit.

Now I understand the manager had to try and get a tune out of his players in the final few games. With a chance of a trophy still there, he needed to keep them onside, so couldn’t lob people under a bus. But to pick Morelos to start the Viaplay Cup Final, the