Detailed Player Ratings from Celtic’s 3-0 win over Motherwell at Fir Park in the Scottish Premiership...
Kasper Schmeichel – The Denmark captain had an eventful start to proceedings, as his pass to Bernardo left the midfielder surprised, who was dispossessed just yards from the keeper’s goal. Apart from this, it was an uneventful opening 45 for the veteran – not that he would have been complaining, mind you. Another clean sheet for the 37-year-old, whose distribution again was on the money today. Quietly efficient in everything that he did. 7
Alistair Johnston – Captain for the day in place of the injured Callum McGregor, Johnston was a constant menace on the right side for Brendan Rodgers’ side this afternoon. Looking for the overlap at every possible opportunity, the Canada right-back provided an attacking presence for the duration, as well as defensive solidity and leadership at the back. He would score his third of the season – thanks to his opposite full-back Valle’s pinpoint cross that fell right to his head – he couldn’t miss. A monstrous performance from the full-back, he wore that armband like a badge of honour – it may very well be his once McGregor hangs up his boots for good. Immense from number 2. 9
Auston Trusty – Despite the naming of Cameron Carter-Vickers on the Celtic bench, Trusty was preferred to this one over his USMNT teammate – allowing CCV to be eased back into proceedings. He was solid throughout alongside his defensive partner Scales. Apart from one slack touch which Motherwell nearly benefitted from late in the second half, the American was very solid throughout and showed his class once again for his new employers. It will be very interesting to see who starts on Wednesday with Carter-Vickers now firmly back in the fold. 7
Liam Scales – An ever-present at the back for Celtic now, the Irishman was a calming presence for his team, despite Motherwell starting the game on the front foot. He dealt with everything that came his way and was a positive part of Celtic’s build-up play with his passing and movement. Interestingly, he was shifted out on the left to play full-back, though he was impressive even when playing in a position not familiar to him in recent years. Steady again from Scales, who continues to impress this season. 7
Alex Valle – A player who is really growing into that left-back role at his loan club, Valle was a standout on the left side for Celtic in the first half. Solid defensively with an eye for a pass when required, the on-loan Barcelona player strolled proceedings in the opening half, helped by Maeda’s hard work on the same side further forward. He would pick up another assist in his young Celtic career, gifting his fellow full-back with a delicious cross that was just begging to be attacked. A strong showing, he was replaced by the returning Carter-Vickers just after the hour mark. La Masia have made another rising star. 8
Luke McCowan – His first start for his boyhood team, McCowan was trusted to bring the Scottish influence to the midfield that McGregor had vacated due to injury. He would open the scoring, as his darting run with the ball into the box was rewarded with the ball falling kindly to him – the midfielder finished well. Not just his goal, but his overall play in and around the box and beyond was impressive, meaning the skipper was not missed on the day. A swashbuckling performance by number 14, he looks to be a certainty to play against his former team on Wednesday night after that performance. A well-deserved standout on the day. 8
Paulo Bernardo – Nearly cost his team an early goal by being dispossessed, following a surprise pass from Schmeichel. Apart from this lapse, Bernardo was solid, showing his class in the middle of the park on more than one occasion with good movement and passing. Though not a standout like McCowan or Hatate, he stuck to his task and was rewarded by playing the whole 90 minutes – a testament to his fitness levels and application as a Celtic player. Quiet but effective. 7
Reo Hatate – Preferred over the likes of Arne Engels to start this game in the number 10 role, Hatate was bright, trying his best to connect the midfield and attack with his passing and movement. He was one of the standouts for Celtic on the day, as both his attacking and defensive work were on point for the visitors to Fir Park. How the Japan. midfielder did not score today is a mystery, given the numerous chances that were presented to him. Still, he was class, as his creativity in the middle of the park was noticed by all in attendance. 8
James Forrest – The veteran was given a start in place of Nicolas Kuhn, who featured on the bench. Alongside Johnston on the right, the pair looked to occupy the most dangerous area of the field for Celtic, as the likes of Bernardo and McCowan constantly directed their passes to that section of the pitch. He had a couple of nice runs and crosses into the box, but none of these led to anything concrete for Celtic in an attacking sense. After working hard, he was taken off in place of Nicolas Kuhn on the right side. 6
Kyogo Furuhashi – Preferred to Adam Idah to lead the line from the off, Kyogo had precious little touches of the ball, as he cut an isolated figure at the top of the Fir Park pitch for Celtic. His movement in this period was good, though none of his fellow outfield players could get the ball to him for any good amount of time. After a couple of half chances, he was replaced by Adam Idah – who did manage to find the back of the net unlike his fellow forward. It will be interesting to see who starts on Wednesday night. 6
Daizen Maeda – He contributed Celtic’s first real opportunity of the match, flicking his head onto McCowan’s cross into the box which Aston Oxborough did well to save. Somewhat inexplicably, Maeda was brought down in the box by Stephen O’Donnell, before the ball grazed his arm and went in the back of the net – referee David Dickinson gave a hand ball rather than a penalty. The Japan winger worked hard for the duration of the time which he was on the park, though he did not manage to bag his sixth goal of the season. He was replaced by Luis Palma five minutes before full-time. 6
Subs:
Nicolas Kuhn – Afforded a bit of a rest following his efforts in Bergamo, Kuhn would come on and make a positive impact despite not starting the contest. Indeed, he would get at his man on a multitude of occasions, as he would be rewarded with an assist near the end – his low cross finding Idah who stabbed the ball home. 15 goal contributions and we’re only at October – this season could be one for the books for Kuhn at Celtic. Impactful. 5
Cameron Carter-Vickers – A welcome return for Celtic’s premier defender, whose last game was against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League early last month. He would make one massive interception that kept his side two goals up in the contest – he hasn’t lost it! A big player to have back at a crucial time, CCV will likely command his place back immediately, but in place of who? Glad to have the big man back. 4
Arne Engels – A 15-minute cameo from Celtic’s record signing, Engels looked calm and composed on the ball, and was eager to make things happen for the team going forward. You’d expect him to get back into the starting line-up on Wednesday versus Dundee. 3
Adam Idah – Much more like it from the Irishman, who calmly slotted home Kuhn’s cross from close range. Three goals in two games at Fir Park – he likes playing in North Lanarkshire, or so it would seem. May be in line for another midweek start versus Dundee on Wednesday in place of Kyogo – another team he has scored against in the past. 5
Luis Palma – Should have scored at the end – it would have been his third goal in as many games at Fir Park. Wasteful, but positive from the Honduran, who replaced Maeda with five minutes to go. 3
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