Player Ratings as Celts crowned champions

 

Despite a starting eleven with a front three few expected at Tannadice on Wednesday night, Celtic were still able to secure their status as Champions of Scotland. 

A 1-1 draw was sufficient enough for the Hoops to crown themselves as the finest time in Scotland and as ever I’ll be delivering my customary player ratings. 

Here they are. 

Joe Hart - 6/10

Joe Hart won the third league title of his career this evening but had some Celtic fans’ hearts in their mouths when doing so. Hart played the ball out from the back consistently and could do nothing to prevent Dylan Levitt from equalising with a wonderful strike in the second half. 

Anthony Ralston - 8/10

Next to no-one would’ve been expecting to talk about Anthony Ralston when discussing a Celtic team that has just won the title but here we are. The twenty three year old was eminent at right back tonight, playing some sublime cross field passes and setting up Celtic’s only goal of the game. 

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 6/10

The on-loan Tottenham centre back marshalled the Dundee United attack amply  when asked and put in yet another consistent performance to help Celtic to the title. 

Carl Starfelt - 7/10

The twenty six year old won the first league title of his career on Wednesday, being stout in defence as he done so. Starfelt made several clearances from his own eighteen yard box in the second half and was flawless in his passing. 

Greg Taylor - 7/10

The Scottish left back got up and down the left hand side with ease and was harshly booked in the second half for a foul which easily couldn’t have been. Celtic have been linked to left back Mohanad Jeahze recently and it cannot be denied left back is one of the weakest areas in Ange Postecoglou’s squad in spite of Greg Taylor’s recent performances. 

Callum McGregor - 8/10

Callum McGregor won his second major honour and first league title as Celtic captain this evening as he was ever-present in midfield. McGregor showed vivacity, energy and everything we’ve come to expect from him this season as he progressed the ball forward yet contributed significantly in defence. 

Reo Hatate - 6/10

After being rested at the weekend following a lacklustre display in the most recent Glasgow Derby, Reo Hatate came back in for a title-decider at Tannadice. The Japanese didn’t have his greatest display in midfield, misplacing some passes but Hatate did have a number of shots on goal which he could’ve done better with. 

Matt O’Riley - 7/10

Matt O’Riley had one of his best displays in a Celtic shirt against Hearts on Saturday and was satisfactory this evening. The Danish under 21 international played some nice balls to open up play in the first half and regularly occupied the inside right channel before he was subbed off on the sixty fourth minute. 

Liel Abada - 6/10

The Israeli winger got the nod on the right hand side this evening and showed shades of liveliness before he was brought off through injury with twenty to play. The extent of said hindrance is currently unknown but I’m certain it won’t be of concern to many with just one game remaining this season. 

Giorgos Giakoumakis - 8/10

Giakoumakis scored the goal that all but won Celtic the league. The Greek striker powerfully rose above his man to emphatically nod past Benjamin Siegrist in the second half to catalyse scenes of sheer joy in the shed behind the Dundee United goal. As a result of the twenty seven year old’s display this evening, it will be intriguing to see who gets the nod through the middle for Celtic on Saturday. 

James Forrest - 7/10

It was rather surprising to see the veteran winger’s name on the team sheet however Ange Postecoglou awarded James Forrest with his first start since Celtic’s last visit to Tannadice this evening. The thirty year old rather caught the eye on the left hand side, cutting in on his right foot regularly and linking up well with Greg Taylor before being replaced by Jota. 

Substitutes 

Ange Postecoglou called upon Tom Rogic, David Turnbull and Jota from the bench just after the hour mark this evening. The two former didn’t drastically affect the game in midfield however Jota showed why Celtic are trying to tie him down to a permanent deal. The Portuguese winger displayed great flair, poise and panache and forced a great save from Benjamin Siegrist when he cut inside from the left channel in the second half. 

The other two changes saw Japanese duo Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi replace the injured Liel Abada and goalscorer Giorgos Giakoumakis. Neither really got an opportunity to impose themselves on the game however Maeda showed his grit with his constant shutting down of Dundee United defenders. 

Rounding Off

What a season it’s been. Celtic are champions of Scotland for the tenth time in eleven seasons after tonight’s match and have no doubt, the celebrations are fully under way. 

Not much focus will be on this evening’s performance and all that will be on the Celtic players’ minds now will be holding aloft the Scottish Premiership title this coming Saturday against Motherwell. 

Thank you for reading this article. It has been a pleasure to write these player ratings for almost every Celtic game this season and your support throughout the campaign has been incredible. Tonight’s player ratings may be the last I write this season but be sure to follow me on Twitter @Josh_Footblog to find my upcoming work for several sites over the next few weeks.