Celtic Player Ratings v Motherwell

Celtic travelled to Lanarkshire on Sunday afternoon with the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership for a few hours, at least. The Hoops grasped this opportunity with open arms as they defeated Motherwell by four goals to nil.  

Here is my player ratings from the match. 

Joe Hart - 7/10

Despite a deflected effort, Joe Hart had next to nothing to do this afternoon. The Englishman kept another clean sheet as Celtic cantered to a victory. 

Anthony Ralston - 7/10

The Scottish right back came in for Josip Juranovic and showed yet again why he is such a reliable option for Celtic. Ralston was astute defensively and not afraid to get forward down the right hand side.  

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 7/10

Cameron Carter-Vickers started alongside Carl Starfelt in the centre of defence once more for Celtic. The American, along with the rest of the backline, was relatively untroubled and kept up the Bhoys’ record as the best defence in the league. 

Carl Starfelt - 8/10

The twenty six year old defended well and was willing to put his body on the line on several occasions. Starfelt built up the play as his rise continues. 

Greg Taylor - 8/10

Greg Taylor has received much criticism in recent times however in the past two games, the left back has found some form. Taylor got up and down the left hand side today and was also well founded defensively. 

Callum McGregor - 7/10

The Celtic captain was a masked hero once more as he managed sixty three minutes in midfield. McGregor moved the ball swiftly in midfield and should’ve had his name on the scoresheet early in the second half. 

Reo Hatate - 8/10

Reo Hatate had another blissful performance in midfield despite playing just one half. The Japanese was dynamic on the ball and his sublime cross found Liel Abada for Celtic’s opener. Hatate continues to appear to be yet another shrewd investment from Celtic. 

Tom Rogic - 9/10

After jetting back from Australia, Tom Rogic started in midfield for Celtic today and the Australian put in a vintage display. Rogic got Celtic’s second and his first with a curling effort of top class into the top left corner. He added a third to the Hoops’ tally late on in the first half as he fired home from Liel Abada’s cut-back cross. Today, we seen exactly why Ange Postecoglou put full faith in Tom Rogic with the twenty nine year old scoring two goals in one Scottish Premiership game for the first time in his career. 

Liel Abada - 9/10

Words continue to evade the way I can describe Liel Abada’s vast potential and great performances. The Israeli was key once again for Celtic as he contributed to three out of the four goals scored by his team. Abada opened the scoring just before the half hour mark when he latched on to Reo Hatate’s cross ball. The twenty year old then combined twice with Tom Rogic to put the game to bed before half time as he set the Australian up for his two goals. What makes these involvements all the more impressive is the fact Abada managed to pull them off in the forty five minutes he played. 

Giorgos Giakoumakis - 6/10

The Greek striker enjoyed a rugged physical battle with Motherwell defender Bevis Mugabi today. Giakoumakis had one main chance which Liam Kelly saved and the twenty seven year old was replaced by Jota on the sixty third minute.  

Daizen Maeda - 8/10

Daizen Maeda certainly looked more lively when he was moved to centre forward later on in today’s match. This was proved when he sublimely controlled Matt O’Riley’s through ball to take it past his man and loop it over Liam Kelly and into the back of the net, via a deflection. This was Celtic’s fourth of the afternoon and Maeda’s second goal for the club which capped off a prosperous afternoon for Ange Postecoglou’s side. 

Substitutes 

There was a whole host of changes in the Celtic lineup and this was mirrored in the match with Ange Postecoglou utilising all of his five available substitutes. 

At half time, James Forrest and Nir Bitton replaced Liel Abada and Reo Hatate respectively. Bitton was calm and controlled as ever in midfield and James Forrest’s principal moment was when he headed Jota’s cross straight at Liam Kelly in the Motherwell goal. 

Just shy of twenty minutes into the second half, two more changes were made to the Celtic side as Jota and Matt O’Riley came on for Giorgos Giakoumakis and captain Callum McGregor. The Portuguese winger brought his characteristic trickery and liveliness to the side and Matt O’Riley set up Daizen Maeda for Celtic’s fourth with an intelligent through ball. 

The final change that was made saw Josip Juranovic replace Greg Taylor at left back. The only real involvement the Croatian has was when his free kick whistled past the near post. 

Another crucial win was secured for Celtic on Sunday afternoon as the Hoops extended their unbeaten run in the league to nineteen matches. 

Some tremendous football was played as the great strength in depth of the current Celtic squad was disposed to all. 

Next up for Celtic is an arduous trip to Pittodrie on Wednesday evening. Stephen Glass’ Aberdeen side have already taken points off Rangers this season however it is fair to say their recent form has been questionable. 

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.