Celtic Player Ratings v Motherwell

Celtic made it back-to-back away wins in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday afternoon with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Motherwell. A clean sheet was welcomed along with two terrific goals from Jota and David Turnbull. Let’s get into the player ratings. 

Joe Hart - 7/10

The English keeper had next to nothing to do. Early on in the match though, he had Celtic fans’ hearts in their mouths when he came close to giving the ball away but smartly deceived the attacker. Hart kept his concentration well and earned another clean sheet. 

Anthony Ralston - 7/10

Anthony Ralston done well down the right hand side and created many chances; most notably setting up Jota who fired off target. The Scot’s rapid development under Ange Postecoglou. 

Carl Starfelt - 8/10

I thought Carl Starfelt was the more superior of the Celtic centre halves today. His on the ball ability was surpassing also. Similarly to other defenders, there is not much to report on as they were rarely tested. 

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 7/10

The loanee was booked late on for holding back Kevin van Veen yet played his part in another Celtic clean sheet; only the third in his time at the club. 

Boli Bolingoli - 8/10

The Belgian’s surprising return to the side last month against Livingston was followed by another ninety minutes against Motherwell today. Bolingoli done extremely well going forward as well as defensively. In addition, the twenty-six year old was unfortunate not to get a goal contribution. 

Callum McGregor - 8/10

The Celtic captain undoubtedly makes the Celtic midfield tick. His absence last month, albeit for a week or so, was rather noticeable. It should not be underestimated what McGregor brings to the side and today, he had another sublime display. 

David Turnbull - 9/10

Turnbull‘s return to Fir Park was one that angered some Motherwell fans who jeered the talented midfielder. The Scot though, showed ultimate respect when he halted celebrating a magnificent goal which could be a contender for goal of the season. The twenty-two year old excelled in a Celtic shirt this afternoon despite playing against his former club. 

Tom Rogic - 8/10

In the first half in particular, Tom Rogic was outstanding. The Australian threaded a great ball in behind the Motherwell back line, to Jota, for Celtic’s opener. He slightly faded in the second forty five and was replaced by Nir Bitton on seventy-two minutes. 

Liel Abada - 6/10

Abada was rarely involved in the match and some of his crosses were questionable. We must remember however, the Israeli is just twenty years of age and we cannot expect sensational performances and returns week in, week out from him 

Kyogo Furuhashi - 6/10

Peculiarly, Kyogo wasn’t able to get a look in today. The Japanese was unable to add to his exceptional goalscoring record at Celtic this campaign. The twenty-six year old has recently came back from International duty on the other side of the world and as a result, may not be at his best. 

Jota - 9/10

A goal and an assist completed a splendid afternoon for on-loan Benfica winger Jota. His goal gave Celtic the lead on seventeen minutes and he also played a part in David Turnbull’s strike which doubled Celtic’s lead. The Portuguese winger’s rich vein of form is extended into this side of the International break. 

Substitutes 

I’m taking a slightly different angle to ranking the substitutes this time around. I won’t be rating any but instead, speaking about their performances in general. 

Nir Bitton and Giorgos Giakoumakis were introduced on seventy-three minutes for Tom Rogic and Liel Abada respectively. The former, was adequate in the holding midfield role. Fellow substitutes Giakoumakis had few opportunities but did look dangerous going forward. The final player who was brought on was Mikey Johnston. The tricky winger came on for the final eight minutes and fired just wide of the post late on. 

All in all, it was a good day at the office for Celtic. It was a splendid collective performance from the team. A clean sheet, two goals and three points were thoroughly deserved. It is now on to Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Tuesday afternoon for Ange Postecoglou and his men. 

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