Celtic Player Ratings v Ross County


Celtic got back on track in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon. After a lethargic first half, the Bhoys stepped it up in the second and secured a convincing 3-0 win. Let’s get into the player ratings. 

Joe Hart - 6/10

The Englishman had little to do today apart from when he saved Celtic’s clean sheet when he made a great diving save to deny Ross County an equaliser. That is really the only prominent involvement I recall Hart having. 


Josip Juranovic - 6/10

Juranovic wasn’t the most convincing in Celtic’s victory and Regan Charles-Cool caused him problems down the Hoops’ right hand side. The Croatian didn’t get forward as much as I would’ve anticipated on his Celtic Park debut but overall, had a mediocre performance. 


Carl Starfelt - 7/10

Carl Starfelt was slightly in the shadow of debutant Cameron Carter-Vickers but on the whole, was well founded at the back when tested. The Swede also made a few dribbles through the thirds and his passing ability was up to the mark. Starfelt continues to adroitly find his feet at Celtic. 


Cameron Carter-Vickers - 9/10

The American was my man of the match today. Carter-Vickers broke the deadlock on the 64th minute with a deflected long range effort; such fortune was thoroughly deserved. The 23 year old’s defending was of high class. He won headers and made several, powerful slide tackles. Carter-Vickers could be the ‘tough guy’ Celtic have been missing so far this season. 


Greg Taylor - 5/10

I may be being slight harsh with this rating but from my point of view, Greg Taylor wasn’t the greatest today. I feel the Scot was a weak link in the back line and wasn’t especially adept going forward; this was proved when young Adam Montgomery came on and impressed. Taylor’s afternoon came to an abrupt end when he pulled up with a shoulder injury which forced him off the pitch just after half time. 


Callum McGregor - 7/10

McGregor was replaced just after Celtic’s opening goal and gave the armband to Tom Rogic. The 28 year old played well but I feel his services are utilised best when played further forward. Once again though, McGregor didn’t really put a foot wrong and he continues to be immensely dependable for Celtic. 


Tom Rogic - 6/10

Tom Rogic was average today. The Australian was unable to repay the faith Ange Postecoglou showed in him this afternoon. I feel Rogic took too much time when in advanced positions with his decision making. Some of his threaded passes were either inaccurate or over or under hit. The 28 year old was replaced by James McCarthy on the 78th minute. 


David Turnbull - 6/10

Turnbull’s passing was somewhat lacklustre although admittedly, the 22 year old had a number of long range efforts go close. The Scot also helped manufacture Celtic’s third by sending a cross into the back post for James McCarthy, whose header rebounded and fell to Albian Ajeti. I suggest Turnbull will be playing a great deal of football in the coming weeks with Celtic’s wearying fixture schedule which lies ahead. 


Jota - 6/10

Despite being lively in the early stages of the match, Jota’s Celtic debut wasn’t up to much. Ange Postecoglou did admit after the game that he had plans to bring the 22 year old off in the second half but injuries and circumstances didn’t allow. Jota though, will undoubtedly start once more for Celtic on Thursday as the Hoops travel to Seville to take on Real Betis in the Europa League. 


Albian Ajeti - 8/10

The Swiss striker didn’t offer an abundant effort off the ball but seemed to be in the right place at the right time for his two goals. With injuries to Kyogo Furuhashi and new signing Giorgos Giakoumakis struggling for fitness, Ajeti will continue to lead the line for Celtic in the coming weeks. 


Liel Abada - 7/10

Abada had a couple of chances throughout the match which he was unable to take. The Israeli’s lightning pace was once again noticeable down the right hand side. Abada set up Celtic’s second goal when his left footed cross which met the head of Albian Ajeti. It displays Abada’s expansive potential with the fact he continues to get returns, whether it be goals or assists, week in, week out. 


Substitutes (I won’t be rating Ismaila Soro or James McCarthy as they both played around 15 minutes)


Adam Montgomery - 6/10

The youngster came off the bench to replace Greg Taylor against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League and this was the case once again today. Montgomery brought liveliness and vitality to the game which Taylor did not. I feel there lies a big future for the 19 year old at Celtic. 


Three points was vital for Celtic today ahead of a demanding run of games. Ange Postecoglou’s men did not disappoint and secured the win in the end. 


Thank you for reading this article. If you have any thoughts or opinions, leave a comment below. Also, I’d appreciate it if you gave me a follow on Twitter @Josh_Footblog. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Celtic v Hearts: Five things we learned

Image
On a cold, December’s night in the East End of Glasgow, Celtic had to beat Hearts to almost stay in the SPFL title race. Ange Postecoglou’s men lived up to the challenge with Kyogo Furuhashi’s goal proving decisive. Let’s get into three things we learned from the match.   Celtic’s squad depth is continually being put to the test With Celtic missing Cameron Carter-Vickers    through personal reasons and Giorgos Giakoumakis, along with many others, through injury, the thoroughness of the Celtic team is undoubtedly being put to the test. In addition, all three substitutes made by Ange Postecoglou this evening were forced with all of Anthony Ralston, Stephen Welsh and Jota being retracted for one reason or another. All of the above reasons clearly connote the need for recruitment in the January transfer window.  Carl Starfelt is nothing but reliable Upon return from injury, Swedish centre back Carl Starfelt was handed a vital role at the heart of the Celtic defence. The ...
Read more

Who is Jacob Brown?

Image
Scotland will take on Moldova and Denmark in the upcoming International break with just three points needed to secure a play off for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For the Moldova match in particular, Scotland will be without Ryan Christie and on-form striker Lyndon Dykes; both will miss out through suspension. It was suspected that a new name would be brought in to fill the void with the likes of Johnny Russell and Tony Watt believed to be in the fray although Steve Clarke opted for an unsuspected pick in Stoke City forward Jacob Brown.   The now twenty three year old begun his career at English National League side Guiseley before moving to Barnsley under eighteens in 2015. Brown worked his way through the ranks at the South Yorkshire club before making his first team debut for Barnsley in the 16/17 season. Brown made an additional cameo later on in the campaign, mounting his total to two appearances for the season. In the first half of the 17/18 campaign, the attacker played five ...
Read more

Scotland’s Steve Clarke debate

Image
It is undeniable that Steve Clarke has enjoyed great success since he was appointed Scotland manager back in 2019.   Getting to Euro 2020 and leading his side to their best World Cup qualifying campaign since 1998 has to be commended.   However, poor results in some big matches and a lack of tactical adaptability have led many to question Steve Clarke’s credentials as Scotland manager.  These concerns gathered real pace after a deflating World Cup play off loss to Ukraine but it is fair to say the warning signs have been there for a while.  Despite qualifying for Euro 2020, Scotland’s performance at last summer’s tournament was somewhat disappointing. Granted, the goalless draw with England at Wembley was well deserved and nothing could be done about the quality of the Croatia side that won 3-1 at Hampden but the 2-0 home defeat to the Czech Republic in the opening game was unsettling.  Playing in front of their own supporters in their first major tournamen...
Read more