Celtic Player Ratings v St. Mirren

Celtic went top of the league on goal difference on Saturday evening with a resounding 6-0 victory over St. Mirren. Let’s get into the player ratings from the Celtic team. 

Joe Hart - 7/10

The Englishman rarely had anything to do although he commanded his box well collecting a couple of crosses. Hart was also quick off his line to keep play going. 

Anthony Ralston - 8/10

The two full backs were almost identical to each other in terms of performance. Ralston was physical and, once again, covered the right hand side well. He set up Liel Abada for Celtic’s opener with a fine pass and was unlucky not to score himself.  

Carl Starfelt - 7/10 

Carl Starfelt looked much more assured today than in recent weeks for Celtic. The Swede helped deal with and keep quiet the St. Mirren duo of Curtis Main and Eamon Brophy up front. It seems a stable partnership could be building between himself and Stephen Welsh although the two central defenders were rarely tested this afternoon. 

Stephen Welsh - 9/10

The young defender stood out once again for Celtic at the back. His maturity levels look to be much greater than his age. Welsh kept Curtis Main in his ‘back pocket’ so to speak. The 21 year old also got an assist when he laid off David Turnbull for Celtic’s third. 

Greg Taylor - 8/10

Taylor continuously whipped crosses into the box today and got his reward when Liel Abada nodded home at the back post from one of the Scot’s balls. Similarly to Ralston, Taylor got up and down his own flank however he made some stray passes but his assist pushes him up one or two ratings. 

Callum McGregor - 7/10

Callum McGregor was once again a stalwart in midfield for Celtic. The captain controlled the play well however playing in a slightly deeper role, was unable to get forward and get a goal involvement. McGregor gave the armband to Ryan Christie when he was replaced by Ismaila Soro on the 67th minute. 

Ryan Christie - 6/10 

Christie was lively in the middle of the park, playing alongside David Turnbull who outshone the midfielder. The 26 year old looks like a better player when playing at left wing in Ange Postecoglou’s system though. Christie would’ve been disappointed not get on the scoresheet today. 

David Turnbull - 10/10

David Turnbull scored his first career hat-trick this afternoon. His first seen him at the right place at the right time to fire home from close range; his second was a beautiful long range effort that beat Jack Alnwick; Turnbull’s third was when he finished off from a threaded Tom Rogic pass in the second half. Turnbull has certainly banished any doubts Celtic fans had over his form in the first few games of the season. 

Kyogo Furuhashi - 7/10

The Japanese forward surprisingly failed to get on the scoresheet today although he helped set up Odsonne Edouard in the second half. A few missed chances from Kyogo left him ruing these opportunities however the 26 year old continues to get into auspicious positions. 

Liel Abada - 9/10 

It was arguably Liel Abada’s greatest performance in a Celtic shirt yet against St. Mirren this afternoon. The Israeli came out the blocks firing and opened the scoring on the 17th minute with a powerful left footed shot. Abada doubled Celtic’s money five minutes later with a header that beat Jack Alnwick who didn’t cover himself in glory today. It seems the right wing spot is now Abada’s to loose after the 19 year old showed yet more great potential this afternoon. 

Odsonne Edouard - 7/10

In his second league start of the season, Odsonne Edouard scored his second goal of the league campaign. The 23 year old finished into the bottom left corner from a few yards out after meeting Kyogo Furuhashi’s low cross. Edouard didn’t show much else in the match although he still managed to get his afore mentioned goal. 

Substitutes 

Tom Rogic - 6/10

Rogic provided a different dynamic to the Celtic midfield when he was introduced on the 67th minute. The Australian set up David Turnbull for his hat-trick and if Odsonne Edouard got his pass on the money, Rogic could’ve had a goal himself. 

Ismaila Soro - 5/10

The Ivorian replaced Callum McGregor and played the equal amount of minutes as fellow substitute Tom Rogic. Soro broke up the play, made disguised forward passes and there wasn’t much of a difference between himself and McGregor playing in the holding role in the engine room. 

Albian Ajeti - 3/10

Odsonne Edouard made way for the Swiss striker with seven to play who looked lively although with such limited minutes, Ajeti didn’t have a considerable chance to impress. 

Celtic had yet another consummate performance on Saturday. A St. Mirren team that went down to ten men nineteen minutes in was advantageous for the Hoops. However, there’s no getting away from the Bhoys’ remarkable display. The pressure now is on Rangers on Sunday in Dingwall. I’m sure Celtic fans will be keeping a close eye on proceedings at the Global Energy Stadium on Sunday afternoon.