Days after participating in the Champions League group stage ( they have been drawn alongside Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, and Anderlecht) qualification defeating FC Astana ( 8-4 on aggregate), Brendan Rodgers Celtic FC hosted St. Johnstone in a Scottish Premiership top of the table clash this afternoon.
Both the teams have won three of their previous league outings but St. Johnstone were league leaders thanks to a better goal difference. Celtic, the six times champions on a row, were upbeat at Celtic Park despite a 4-3 midweek defeat in Kazakhstan and were hoping to be three points clear of the visitors amidst several significant injury absentees.
Things, however, could have turned out to be opposite but substitute Callum Mcgregor’s late strike saved the Hoops from an unforeseen defeat as the game finished all square (1-1). St. Johnstone retain their top of the table status.
Below are the Celtic FC Players rated from the game.
Craig Gordon: 5.5
The veteran custodian was at fault for Steven MacLean’s goal as the 35-year-old forward took full advantage of Gordon’s poor clearance and fired past him to earn his side a massive lead. Tracked back and denied MacLean’s audacious chip seconds later.
However, Gordon stopped MacLean to score his second yet again as he did well to deny his close-range header in the second half.
Anthony Ralston: 5
The teenager had a quiet evening as he could not offer much going forward as well as struggled against St. Johnstone’s counter attacks.
Was taken off to be replaced by Callum McGregor in the second half who scored a late goal to equalize and helped his side to retain the domestic unbeaten streak.
Mikael Lustig: 6
The right-back started in a makeshift centre-back slot due to significant injury absentees of Celtic’s first-team defenders. Lustig struggled to contain MacLean and was booked after failing to keep hold of the veteran forward.
Was unlucky as his effort struck the bar in the closing seconds that could have sealed a victory for his side.
Nir Bitton: 6.5
The Israeli international blocked a few efforts, looked threatening from set-pieces but struggled with his positioning.
Kieran Tierney: 6.5
The young left-back was excellent going forward, tried to test the custodian Alan Mannus with his shooting traits, but lacked defensive composure as he needs to track back more often.
Scott Brown: 6
The skipper tried to link up with his attackers but lacked creativity with his passing and vision. His passes were predictable and innocuous.
James Forrest: 5.5
Forrest tricked his way into the box in the early minutes to test the keeper, but the Scottish international failed to pose constant threats from the right flank before being taken off to be replaced by Jonny Hayes.
Tom Rogic: 7
The Australian was impressive yet again as he kept on linking up with fellow attackers using his passing and dribbling traits. A few of his efforts went just wide, rest were denied by Alan Mannus.
Scott Sinclair: 8
He continued his great run of form and assisted McGregor who found the equalizer. Tested the keeper on a few occasions and his thunderous strike came off the bar in the closing minutes when the Hoops were desperately seeking a late winner.
Leigh Griffiths: 5.5
Griffiths started the game brightly but failed to make any noteworthy contribution, neither from his set-pieces nor in front of the goal.
Substitutes
Jonny Hayes: 6.5
The former Aberdeen winger replaced Forrest at half-time and kept on threatening the St. Johnstone back-line with his crosses, shots and directness.
Stuart Armstrong: 7
Came in place of Ntcham. Did well to hold possession in midfield and create attacks in search of an equalizer.
