Detailed player ratings from Celtic's 2-2 draw with Aberdeen this afternoon in Glasgow...
Kasper Schmeichel - Apart from a Leighton Clarkson free-kick that went safely into his hands from long distance, Schmeichel’s only contributions in the first half were some nice distributions with his feet and hands - a spectator concerning goalmouth action. This would change after the restart, as he would pick the ball out of his net two times in 10 minutes from Sokler and Shinnie - the latter being a big deflection that he had no chance with whatsoever. Nothing he could do to prevent the comeback, unfortunately. 6
Alistair Johnston - After a bit of a shaky start in possession, the Canada right-back got into his groove, being a positive force in both defence and attack for the home side in the first half. He would push forward in the second half, with the defender being too keen to attack the ball by fouling the goalkeeper to deny Idah’s goal. He would then have his late shot blocked on the line by Duk - a contentious one at that. The best of the four defenders - not a difficult thing to achieve, given the second half showing. 6
Auston Trusty - Preferred ahead of Cameron Carter-Vickers - who is still recovering from injury - his American counterpart looked calm and composed alongside Liam Scales in defence. Good passing and resolute defending were commonplace for Trusty, as he strolled proceedings in the first half. Unfortunately, he would look shaky following the restart, as Aberdeen got back into the game thanks to slackness from Celtic’s backline. The jury is still very much out on Trusty, unfortunately, after this one. Time will tell if he can make the grade as a first-choice Celtic option. 5
Liam Scales - A tale of two halves for the Irishman, as he was incredibly solid once again for Celtic in the first half of this one. His passing was mostly perfect, as well as a couple of timely interceptions and headers in today’s game. The former Aberdeen defender - like Trusty - strolled this match, and looked like a solid partnership at the back for Celtic. Unfortunately, this was not the case in the second half, as he allowed Sokler directly into goal which brought Aberdeen back into the game. He did have an incredible interception when it looked like the visitors were going to score again from a Valle mistake, but the defender looked very shaky for the vast majority of the second 45 minutes. 5
Alex Valle - There is not a dull moment when Valle is playing for Celtic - that much is clear. Though his defensive positioning can be a little bit awry, he makes up for it concerning his attacking determination and his willingness to get on the ball. Not everything was perfect, but he showed enough to justify his place in the starting line-up. He had a tough second half, as he lost his footing on a number of occasions, though he continues to attack, despite his crossing being largely sub-par. A lot to work on, but there is potential there - I think? A work in progress, for sure. 5
Callum McGregor - going close with a shot from range, McGregor allowed Engels and Hatate to dictate while he stayed back and covered the defenders for threat of a counter attack. I wanted to see a bit more from the captain in the second half, especially with his shooting, as he elected to pass rather than take a shot at goal - surprising given his record of late. A quiet game from the skipper, all things considered. 5
Arne Engels - This was going to be a pretty high rating after 30 minutes. Engels was heavily involved in the first goal, playing a splitting ball to Kyogo, who assisted Hatate for the opening strike. Annoyingly, the total control he had on the game evaporated in the second half, as Engels struggled to get going despite his strong start. No panic stations just yet, but he has to show more, especially when the chips are down. 6
Reo Hatate - justified his starting selection midway through the first half, as his strike opened the scoring for Celtic on the day. One of Celtic’s best players all-in, Hatate dictated the tempo for the duration of the time he was on the park, though he tired mid-way through the game. Was hooked at 60 minutes in place of Paulo Bernardo. 7
Nicolas Kuhn - A disappointing day at the office for the winger, who grafted for 90 minutes and looked dangerous, but nothing came off for him, to Celtic’s disappointment. He had the beating of Jack McKenzie early doors, with his marker picking up a booking that should have sprung Kuhn into life. He pushed in the second half - especially in injury time - but no goals or assists for the dangerous wide man. 5
Kyogo Furuhashi - Celtic’s best player today, Kyogo got both a goal and an assist in a quick-fire goal contribution double for the Japan striker. After feeding Hatate the ball for the opener following a great ball from Engels, Kyogo would fire home Celtic’s double, being patient before side-footing the ball past Mitov in the Aberdeen goal. It could have been a perfect day if he had scored the third with a great chance at the beginning of the second half - an opportunity that Celtic would rue. A good day for Kyogo - it could have been great. 8
Daizen Maeda - A pretty ineffective first half from the Japan international, as he worked hard with little end product, in all honesty. This would be the same in the second half, as the winger struggled to get into the game. Was replaced by James Forrest after 60 minutes - his poorest game by far this season. A blip from number 38 today. 4
Subs:
Paulo Bernardo - Some nice touches, but no real impact from the bench in this one, unfortunately. A big chance went just past him late on - a second earlier and he would’ve had a goal to his name. 4
James Forrest - Did more than Maeda in the 25 minutes he was on the park, but the veteran winger wasted two glorious chances, one going over the bar and the other just past the post. For a player of his experience, the net should’ve ripped for at least one of these chances. Could’ve been a hero today. 4
Adam Idah - The Irish striker was clumsy when he came on today, though he was unlucky that Johnston fouled the keeper in the lead-up to Celtic having the ball in the back of the net at 2-2. Very wasteful with the dangerous free-kick late on, as his shot was blocked easily by the Aberdeen defender. For £8.5 million, you expect more from a forward. 3
Luke McCowan - The shouts for him to start games will no doubt intensify after another positive showing in limited time. Like Bernardo, he got himself into good areas, though the goal never came. A first start vs Motherwell may be in the post for McCowan next week, you would think. 5
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