Celtic Player Ratings v Dundee

Due to Rangers faltering at Tannadice, Celtic were provided with a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon. 

Despite some nervy moments, the Hoops were triumphant as a Giorgos Giakoumakis hat-trick helped Ange Postecoglou’s side to an eventual 3-2 victory. 

Here are my player ratings from the match. 

Joe Hart - 6/10

The Englishman was relatively untroubled in goal despite conceding two. However, questions may be asked over whether he could’ve came to collect the corner which led to Dundee’s opener. 

Anthony Ralston- 7/10

Ralston came back into the side this afternoon and marauded down the right hand side with ease. His teasing cross was headed home by Giorgos Giakoumakis for Celtic’s winner as Ralston picked up his seventh assist of the season. 

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 6/10

Celtic’s right sided centre back made several retrievals and attempted numerous passes down the right channel. Carter-Vickers’ long lasting relationship with Carl Starfelt at the heart of the Celtic defence continues. 

Carl Starfelt - 7/10

There may have been some undue criticism surrounding Carl Starfelt’s performance today although the Swede admittedly could’ve done better to prevent Dundee’s second half equaliser. Apart from that, the twenty six year old won a plethora of aerial battles and threw himself at the ball to assist Giorgos Giakoumakis for the Bhoys’ maiden goal of the game. 

Josip Juranovic - 7/10

Josip Juranovic disposed his versatility once more as he filled in at left back this afternoon. The Croatian wasn’t able to affect the game as much as he normally does when he plays on the right and when doing so, his creative abilities are certainly limited. However, the one instance when he did get involved on the right flank led to Celtic’s winner as Juranovic won the ball back and turned defence into attack. 

Callum McGregor - 6/10

The Celtic captain took up his usual holding role in midfield but was pushed further forward when Nir Bitton was introduced on the seventy ninth minute. McGregor moved the ball well and should’ve scored early on in the second half when he blazed his effort over the bar. 

Reo Hatate - 7/10

The Japanese central midfielder was drafted back into the starting eleven this afternoon after being dropped against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night. Hatate brought vibrance to the middle of the park and was accurately crisp in his passing. 

Matt O’Riley - 6/10

Matt O’Riley and Tom Rogic started alongside each other in midfield on Thursday however it was the former who got the nod in the more advanced role today. O’Riley wasn’t able to get himself into the game as much as he usually does and had an overall quiet afternoon. 

Jota - 7/10

The Portuguese winger started on the right hand side but was moved to the opposite flank when Daizen Maeda was replaced by Liel Abada. Jota brought trickery and vivacity to the fore however wasn’t afforded many opportunities to get his goal. 

Giorgos Giakoumakis - 10/10

The Greek striker bagged himself a hat-trick in his best display in a Celtic shirt so far. Giorgos Giakoumakis drew Celtic level on the thirty fourth minute with a great acrobatic strike and not long later, he had his team in front when Ian Lawlor palmed the ball right into his path. After Dundee equalised with half an hour to go, Celtic begun to pile on the pressure and their perseverance paid off on the eighty sixth minute. Anthony Ralston’s cross met the head of Giakoumakis who got his hat-trick. Not only was it a hat-trick, but it was a perfect one at that. The Greek scored with his right, left and head to give Celtic all three points. 

Daizen Maeda - 7/10

Daizen Maeda wasn’t afraid to take on players and when he got past his man for one of the first time, it resulted in a goal as his cross was palmed into Giorgos Giakoumakis’ path by Ian Lawlor in the Dundee goal. Maeda wasn’t able to score for the third game running and it is fair to say he is best utilised through the middle. 

Substitutes 

Tom Rogic, Liel Abada and Nir Bitton were all selected by Ange Postecoglou to make appearances from the bench today. Despite the two former being on for more time than Nir Bitton, it appeared to be the thirty year old who made the greatest impact. Bitton never misplaced a pass and his calmness prevailed as Celtic held on to their one goal lead late on in the match. However, it cannot be denied Liel Abada’s arrival allowed Jota to take up his natural position on the left hand side and brought more energy and willingness to the wide areas. 

As a result of today’s results, Celtic are now three points ahead of city rivals Rangers at the top of the league. It was undoubtedly a prodigious day in the title race although there will definitely be several twists and turns in the eleven games that remain prior to the end of the season. 

The Hoops’ are next in league action next Sunday as they travel to Easter Road to take on Hibs although a trip to Norway lies in wait before that as the Bhoys will look to overturn a 3-1 aggregate score line against Bodo/Glimt. 

It will be intriguing to see Ange Postecoglou’s team selection for this match with the numerous positional dilemmas he faces such as at full back, on the wings and in central midfield. 

Thank you for reading this article. If you have any thoughts or opinions, leave a comment below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @Josh_Footblog for more Celtic and Scottish football content.