Celtic moved five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership today (Saturday) as they frankly embarrassed rivals Rangers in an astounding 4-0 victory.
A Liel Abada brace, sublime Jota chip and thorough David Turnbull strike completed the rout as Ange Postecoglou and his team left their visitors trembling.
Here’s how the players rated.
Joe Hart – 8/10
Coming back into the team this afternoon, Joe Hart seemed to feel no pressure with the ball at his feet, continually building up play yet also not being afraid to go long. The Englishman made some brilliant saves in the second half although it is fair to say if he didn’t, no difference would’ve been made.
Josip Juranovic – 8/10
Celtic’s Croatian right back was wise in his defending and equally as virtuous going forward as he covered the right hand side amply. Juranovic did swing a number of crosses into the box although they were slightly early in their delivery.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 9/10
Cameron Carter-Vickers played the best he has so far this season today. Whether it be Antonio Colak or Alfredo Morelos, they were kept firmly in the American’s back pocket. Moreover, Carter-Vickers cleared countless opposition balls into the box and won several aerial duels as he put testament to the significant fee Celtic shelled out on him over the summer.
Carl Starfelt – 7/10
The other half of Celtic’s central defensive partnership, Carl Starfelt, amply played his part in his side’s clean sheet today. Although he did have some shaky moments at the back, Starfelt did do well in playing the ball out before being subbed off injured just before the hour mark.
Greg Taylor – 8/10
Greg Taylor has undoubtedly developed into a left back of Celtic’s standard in recent months with his performance today further backing up this point. The 24 year old linked superbly with the midfield and attack whilst also dealing with the threat posed by his opposite number in defence. Furthermore, it was his low cross which put it on a plate for Liel Abada for Celtic’s third of the match.
Callum McGregor – 8/10
The Celtic captain resisted the Rangers’ press with ease and whilst he didn’t standout in midfield, the energy and vivacity McGregor brings in the holding role is noticeably missed when he’s not playing there. The Scotland international began to get more involved in the attacking side of the match when Aaron Mooy was introduced with around 20 to play as he made his presence felt in and around the opposition box.
Reo Hatate – 8/10
In the sort of box-to-box role in the Celtic engine room, Reo Hatate gave his all. The Japanese sprayed some lovely passes across the pitch as he disclosed his optimum quality before being withdrawn for Aaron Mooy.
Matt O’Riley – 9/10
The Danish playmaker held the key which wonderfully opened the Rangers defence in today’s match. Matt O’Riley’s role as playmaker in the Celtic team was coherent this afternoon as he acrobatically put it on a plate for Liel Abada for the Hoops’ opener. Then around 20 minutes later, the 21 year old played a sublime pass in behind the visitors’ defence which Jota brilliantly latched onto to score from. Out of the current Celtic squad, O’Riley is a player who has one of the highest ceilings with him further disclosing this today.
Liel Abada – 9/10
Liel Abada was immense in today’s match. The young Israeli winger bagged a brace as he firstly fired in from an alluring Matt O’Riley cut back and secondly powerfully put it through the legs of a helpless Jon McLaughlin to give Celtic a deserved three goal lead five from half time. As a winger the age he is, Abada is certainly a confidence player and at the minute, his belief in himself is ever-rising.
Giorgos Giakoumakis – 8/10
As Kyogo came off injured five minutes in, we’ll speak about Giorgos Giakoumakis instead of the Japanese striker. Celtic weren’t afraid to go long to Giakoumakis who effectively held the ball in and played some deft passes into the wide areas. In the box, the Greek was ever-lively and looked desperate to get himself on the scoresheet however his four shots on goal were of no avail.
Jota – 9/10
Jota today showed why he is one of the most talented players in Scottish football. The flamboyant winger was too hot to handle for Rangers captain James Tavernier and after making an intelligent run in behind the opposition defence, sublimely dinked it over McLaughlin to score his second goal in two Glasgow derbies.
Substitutes
We’ve already spoke about Giorgos Giakoumakis although Ange Postecoglou also made four other changes in today’s match.
Carl Starfelt was forced off through injury just before the hour with German Moritz Jenz coming on as his replacement in central defence. Jenz carried on from the Swede and released the ball into the Celtic midfield on a few occasions to kickstart some attacks.
The other three Hoops changes came at the same juncture – around 20 minutes from full time. Aaron Mooy replaced Reo Hatate and didn’t put a foot wrong in midfield with Daizen Maeda and David Turnbull coming bags-man Liel Abada and creative midfield outelt Matt O’Riley.
Maeda struck fear into the hearts of the Rangers defence with his pace as David Turnbull took full advantage of an awful Jon McLaughlin error to give his team fourth third and final goal of the afternoon.
The difference in quality between Celtic and Rangers today was hugely noticeable. The hosts appeared up for the fight, backing out of no challenges whilst also playing some exalted attacking football, their four awesome goals putting testament to this.
Ange Postecoglou would’ve been exceedingly pleased his team’s performance today with Spanish giants and European champions Real Madrid the next visitors to Celtic Park. It is fair to say they will pose more of a problem for the Hoops than today’s opposition ever did.
