Joe Hart - A spectator for large parts of the first half, he had no chance with Curtis Main’s fine finish, which thankfully was ruled out due to VAR. Will be annoyed he couldn’t keep the clean sheet after the restart, but it was a good finish from the visitors’ perspective. A quiet night, but he won’t complain. 6
Alistair Johnston - A menace down the right-hand side, his ball to Adam Idah was perfect in its accuracy and placement, making it a simple finish for the striker. A player who looks back on form at the perfect time of the season. A really enjoyable performance from the Canadian, one that he has to replicate another 10 times this campaign! No mask, no problem, as this was a super showing from the recently injured player. Promising stuff from Celtic’s number two, who looks to be improving with every game. 8
Cameron Carter-Vickers - His first start since returning from his latest injury, he nearly cost Celtic a goal with a slack pass early on. Precious to that, he scored a brilliant header to open the scoring. Apart from that mistake, he was faultless, as he had little to deal with in terms of defending. A welcome return for the Premiership’s premier defender, who was subbed early on in the second half for Stephen Welsh. He will face a tougher test on Sunday, that’s for sure. 7
Liam Scales - The one constant in Celtic’s back-line this season, Scales had very little to do defensively like his teammates. He tried to get the ball to his attacking options with quick passing, though some of them ended up being slack. Still, on a night where the attacking talent stole the show, he put in a solid performance. He spared his defensive teammate’s blushes by covering him when he gave the ball straight to the opposition who were through on goal. An easy night’s work for the Irishman. 6
Greg Taylor – What a boost it is having a competent left-back in the side. A goalscoring one too, as he got on the scoresheet with Celtic’s fifth of the night, following a lovely ball into the box that found its way to Celtic’s number three. Two assists and a goal indicate a very good night for the Scotland international, who has come back into the side with a vengeance recently. Good passing and movement throughout for Taylor, who was one of the standouts on the night for Rodgers’ side. 8
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Tomoki Iwata – Speaking of competency, this player personifies it in the number six role. A safety net of a midfielder for the defence behind him, the Japan holding midfielder hardly broke a sweat in this match, intercepting the ball at will from the opposition and being a nuisance throughout for his team. Nothing fancy or glitzy from Iwata, as the player seems to enjoy doing the hard work and graft in the engine room, allowing his more offensively talented teammates to prosper. Celtic’s number 24 should be a first pick from now until the season’s conclusion, as he could be the difference in winning and losing the league due to his solidity. A colossus. 8
Callum McGregor – Much more like it from the captain, who got on the scoresheet with Celtic’s sixth goal of the night. A calm and composed performance from the skipper, he went about his business with style and got his just rewards. Hopefully, he can keep this up, as it seems that Iwata playing just behind him has helped his game immensely. Bigger tests await, but he can be happy with his 45 minutes. He was replaced by young Daniel Kelly for the second half. 7
Matt O’Riley – It looks like the magic man is back in business. Setting up Carter-Vickers and Taylor alongside a header of his own, O’Riley looked like the player of old once again, strutting his stuff around Celtic Park for the duration. Incisive with his passing, he provided constant problems to the visitors, as they did not know what to do with the Dane. Back in amongst the goal contributions, his manager will be delighted that his star man this season looks to be back on form, like a few others who took to the field tonight. So important to the cause, and a big boost that he looks back to his best. 8
Yang Hyun-jun – The standout on the night despite contributing just one assist in the game, Yang was comfortably the most exciting player on the park tonight. Direct, unpredictable and effective all at once, Owen Beck had arguably the toughest test of his career trying – and failing – to mark the South Korea international. Getting spectators off of their feet regularly, he showed exactly what he is capable of in his 75 minutes on the park. He won the club’s Man of the Match award and no surprise. This was the breakout performance that we have been waiting for from Celtic’s number 13. A statement of intent from Yang, which promises to be a big moment in his career going forward. Brilliant again from the exciting wide-man. 9
Adam Idah – Preferred ahead of Kyogo Furuhashi, Idah vindicated his manager’s decision to start him by scoring his second header in as many games. A towering strike of the ball from his head, this was really the only chance Idah had in the game, though he made it count. That’s another achievement ticked off his list, as he has now scored at home for the first time. It looks as if he has earned his spot for Tynecastle, and deservedly so. Clinical from the Irishman. 7
Daizen Maeda – A far better performance from the hit-and-miss Japan winger, Maeda’s strike in this game was a thing of beauty. Turning onto the ball and generating both power and precision, it left Trevor Carson with no chance in the Dundee net. A workaholic for the duration, Maeda did the hard yards to win the ball back, which he did several times to the delight of his teammates. Much more like it from a player who works his socks off game by game. 7
Subs:
Daniel Kelly – What a moment for the young man. If replacing the captain wasn’t big enough, he thundered home his side’s seventh goal of the evening with force and power, on his weaker foot! Some nice touches were displayed by the academy product, as he promises to be one to watch for the future at the club. Lovely moment that he shared with his teammates, who all clearly love the young talent. A brilliant cameo from the youngster. 6
Stephen Welsh – came on after 60 minutes for Carter-Vickers and slotted in well. Nothing to write home about but went about his job effectively. A solid player to have in and around your team. 4
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Anthony Ralston – Much like Welsh, he did not have to do much, though he did look at fault for Dundee’s only goal of the match. Quiet and unspectacular, in a game that was already well-won at the time of his arrival. 4
Kyogo Furuhashi – Replacing Idah for the final 30 minutes, Kyogo was very wasteful in this game, giving the ball away several times. Looks like he will be on the bench once again this weekend, and this performance won’t have helped his chances. Better than what he showed tonight. 3
Luis Palma – Was bright following his arrival, and should have scored from distance when his looping shot hit the bar. A great player to bring off of the bench, but it looks as if it is Yang’s jersey to lose at the moment. Bright from the Honduran, though. 4
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