Celtic Player Ratings v Dundee

Celtic made the trip north to Dundee knowing nothing but three points would be acceptable. The Hoops delivered with an outstanding attacking display although some of the defending was questionable at times. However, the victory was all that mattered and that’s what Celtic came away with. Let’s get into the player ratings. 

Joe Hart - 6/10

Celtic keeper Joe Hart was undoubtedly at fault for Dundee’s second goal after attempting to reach a cross he ultimately didn’t. However, the Englishman remains a calming, experienced presence between the sticks and Celtic would’ve in all likelihood conceded many more goals this season if it weren’t for the thirty four year old. 

Anthony Ralston - 9/10

It was a hat trick of assists for Anthony Ralston at Dens Park if you include his shot which led to Celtic’s opener. The Scot was rewarded with a new contract in the week and repaid his manager’s faith in him with another tremendous display this afternoon.

His cross balls to assist both Kyogo and Jota were more than adept. The twenty two year old will feel more than hard done by not to be included in the latest Scotland squad for the upcoming Internationals. 

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 8/10

It was another solidified display from Cameron Carter-Vickers at the heart of the Celtic defence today. The American was terrifically denied in the first half by a instinctive Adam Legzdins save. Although Celtic’s preference over the option to buy for Jota seems clear, the stance on Carter-Vickers is not so. 

Stephen Welsh - 7/10

Welsh has certainly answered the call after coming in for Carl Starfelt at centre back for Celtic in the past two fixtures. The twenty one year old has proved himself to be a sufficient option for Celtic recently and assuredly has the trust of his manager. Welsh however, did miss a clear sitter late on in the first half which provided him with a coherent chance for his second goal of the season. 

Josip Juranovic - 6/10

The Croatian full back lined up in his unnatural left back position yet again but still had an ample display. Juranovic linked competently with Jota for Celtic’s fourth of the match and prior to this was booked for a goalmouth altercation with Dundee centre back Ryan Sweeney. As I mentioned on Thursday, it would be great to see Juranovic play at right back although ultimately, the form of Anthony Ralston is preventing him from doing so. 

Nir Bitton - 8/10

Nir Bitton retained his place in the holding role in midfield for Celtic this afternoon and done so with thorough professionalism. The Israeli had one of the best displays he’s had in a Celtic shirt of late and playing in his natural position surely aided him thereby. 

Callum McGregor - 7/10

Captain Callum McGregor played slightly more advanced in midfield today which Celtic fans have come to expect recently. McGregor added another ninety minutes to his tally for the campaign and has a performance with very little faults. 

David Turnbull - 6/10

Probably the most astonishing part of a game were Celtic scored four goals was the fact David Turnbull wasn’t involved in any of them. The twenty two year whipped in several corner kicks for Celtic today yet failed to register any assists. Turnbull will now head to the Scotland camp for an International break that could secure a World Cup play off for the nation after a reserved display in midfield today. 

Liel Abada - 6/10

After scoring and setting up another against Ferencvaros midweek, Liel Abada had a fairly muted afternoon in Dundee. The Israeli will be frustrated at not getting in on the act  after being subbed off on the hour mark. 

Kyogo Furuhashi - 9/10

It was another vintage performance from Kyogo today as the Japanese bagged himself a double. His first was a fine header and his second was a classy left footed finish. It was Kyogo’s twelfth and thirteenth goals of the season this afternoon as he proved his indispensable essentialness to Celtic. The twenty six year old remains Dundee’s nemesis after scoring a hat trick against the side back in November. 

Jota - 10/10

It is fair to say Jota had his greatest performance in a Celtic shirt yet today. The Portuguese got Celtic going early on after turning in from Anthony Ralston’s rebounded effort. He then added his second and Celtic’s third in the second half after making a darting run across goal to notch home from a Ralston cross which was of supreme quality. Jota also set up Kyogo for Celtic’s fourth after combining well with Josip Juranovic down the left hand side. Reports of Celtic possibly taking up the buy option on Jota’s loan deal before Christmas will surely be welcome by the Hoops faithful. 

Substitutes 

Ange Postecoglou utilised all three of his available substitutes after bringing on James Forrest, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Mikey Johnston respectively. The former rounded Adam Legzdins and provided Giorgos Giakoumakis with a golden opportunity which he spurned as the Greek’s slow start to life at Celtic continued. Mikey Johnston didn’t have an adequate  amount of time to impact the game as the Celtic academy graduate played just ten minutes compared to the half hour James Forrest and Giorgos Giakoumakis got on the field. 

After a 4-2 victory, the Hoops will not play in the league again until the twenty eighth of November with games against St. Johnstone in the League Cup and Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League to come after players return from representing their countries. Ange Postecoglou will look to reach his first final for Celtic in two weeks time with the aforementioned last four tie against St. Johnstone. 

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