Celtic Player Ratings v Ross County

In the March sunshine, Celtic put on a show as they moved six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership for the evening.

It was a home performance that matched the intensity and levels Ange Postecoglou would’ve demanded of his players after two away games in conditions that weren’t ideal. 

Here are my player ratings from the match.

Joe Hart - 7/10

Ross County did little to threaten the Englishman in the Celtic goal and when Kayne Ramsay was ordered off for a rather strong challenge, it was somewhat of a foregone conclusion that Hart would keep a clean sheet which he inevitably did for the sixteenth time in the league this season. 

Josip Juranovic - 7/10

The Croatian was not afraid to loop a cross or two into the box and unselfishly gave up the chance to get himself on the scoresheet when he allowed Giorgos Giakoumakis to take the penalty which put Celtic four goals in front. Juranovic will most likely start at Ibrox in two weeks time after being replaced on the sixty second-minute by Anthony Ralston. 

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 6/10

With such a dominant performance, there was little to do for either of Celtic’s centre backs this afternoon. Nonetheless, Carter-Vickers was solid as ever and the case for Celtic to buy the American permanently remains a strong one. 

Carl Starfelt - 7/10

Partnering Carter-Vickers in the heart of defence for Celtic was Carl Starfelt. The twenty six year old was tremendous on the ball and dealt with Ross County’s little attacking threat adequately. The Swede was called up for his national team midweek and will be part of the squad that takes on the Czech Republic and possibly Poland for a place in the 2022 World Cup. 

Greg Taylor - 8/10

Greg Taylor had one of his better performances in a Celtic shirt today, posing a strong attacking threat. He got up and down the left hand side with ease, linked the play nicely and could’ve had a goal when he spurned a one-on-one chance with Ross Laidlaw in the first half. Taylor appears to have nailed down the previously much rotated left back spot in recent weeks after a number of stately displays. 

Callum McGregor - 7/10

Taking up the holding role in midfield for Celtic in this game was captain Callum McGregor. The Scot was a great source of energy in the middle of the park and constantly attempted to break the lines, making a number of fine passes, particularly on the left channel, as he linked well with Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda. 

Reo Hatate - 8/10

Despite a contentious challenge against Dundee United on Monday evening, Reo Hatate was given the nod in midfield for the Hoops. Prior to this match, the Japanese was in somewhat of a slump but he was back on form on Saturday afternoon. Hatate showed virtue in midfield, making some skilful turns and playing a few dangerous passes. Hopefully the twenty four year old can recapture the goal scoring form he found in the last Glasgow Derby in two weeks time. 

Tom Rogic - 5/10

Tom Rogic’s withdrawal approximately half an hour in was one of the key consequences of the aforementioned Kayne Ramsay tackle. Despite being on the pitch when three of Celtic’s four goals were scored, Tom Rogic didn’t affect the game as much he would’ve liked to. When asked about the midfielder’s injury after the game, Ange Postecoglou said it isn’t “too bad”, according to 67 Hail Hail editor John McGinley on Twitter. 

Jota - 8/10

The on-loan Benfica winger disposed his versatility in this match as he continually shifted with Daizen Maeda between the left and right flanks. Jota was a thorn in the side of the County defence as he played numerous crosses into the box, one of which met the head of Giorgos Giakoumakis for Celtic’s opener. The twenty two year old now has fourteen goal contributions in his eighteen league starts which are equally distributed among goals and assists. 

Giorgos Giakoumakis - 10/10

For the second time this season, I have given Giorgos Giakoumakis given a ten out of ten in my player ratings. The Greek striker was categorically immense in attack today as he contributed to all of Celtic’s goals, bagging himself a hat-trick and an assist. He rose above Connor Randall to head home from close range eleven minutes in and then moments later, Giakoumakis doubled Celtic’s lead, once again nodding in after his initial effort was blocked off the line. The twenty seven year old then set up Daizen Maeda who frankly couldn’t miss as Celtic wrapped up the game before the half hour mark. Fifteen minutes into the second forty-five, Don Robertson pointed to the spot after the ball appeared to have struck the hand of a Ross County defender. Usual spot-kick taker Josip Juranovic kindly handed the ball to Giakoumakis who took the opportunity to score a second hat-trick in two league starts with open arms. It is fair to say last season’s Eredivisie top scorer has begun to show what he’s capable of in Scotland. Giakoumakis incredibly has a goal or assist every eighty eight minutes in his Celtic career and it is hard to find an explanation not to start the Greek in the Glasgow Derby on the 3rd of April. 

Daizen Maeda - 8/10

Daizen Maeda’s constant pressing and tormenting of the Ross County defence was incredible. The Japanese showed top-class energy levels this afternoon and was rewarded with the simplest of finishes at the back post to give Celtic a three goal lead in the first half.  Maeda now has 6 goals in 13 Celtic appearances and his recent exploits have seen rewarded with another Japan call up alongside teammate Reo Hatate. 

Substitutes 

Matt O’Riley was introduced in the first half when Tom Rogic was forced off through injury. The attacking midfielder’s physical presence was clear to see yet he didn’t impose himself on the game a great deal. 

Along with Liel Abada, Anthony Ralston was brought on just after the hour mark. The pair proved to be highly effective on the right hand side with Ralston providing overlapping runs for Abada to knock on to him. Although they weren’t able to get involved in any goals, the duo provided Ross County left back Connor Randall with a further headache in afternoon where he was constantly up against it. 

The final two of the five Celtic changes Ange Postecoglou made saw Nir Bitton and David Turnbull replace Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor in Celtic’s midfield. The former didn’t put a foot wrong apart from a wayward shot with the latter’s arrival being met with huge applause from the Celtic support. Turnbull’s return from a three month injury lay off can only be seen as a positive for Celtic as murmurs of a treble begin to mount among the support with eight league and possibly two cup matches of the season left to play. 

Rounding Off

After one of their most tremendous performances of the season, Celtic will have to wait just over two weeks until they are back in action. 

The international break is now upon us and the first game back after it is one of the Bhoys’ biggest of the season as a Glasgow Derby lies in wait at Ibrox. 

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.