Having secured their seventh successive Premiership title last week following a thumping 5-0 win over great rivals Rangers, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic travelled to Tynecastle to contest Hearts this afternoon. The early kick-off fixture was nothing but a formality for the Hoops, however, the Parkhead club was still cautious prior to the tie following a disastrous 4-0 defeat at the same venue earlier this season. Hearts, on the other hand, were upbeat about scripting another upset but failed to do so despite having an early lead. They conceding thrice in the game and suffered a 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle Park.
Below are the Celtic players rated in their comprehensive victory against Hearts.
Scott Bain: 6.5
Has been handed a start over Craig Gordon. Conceded early but kept his composure and made some routine stops, later on, to ensure three points on the road.
Mikael Lustig: 7
Was excellent with timely forward runs, tackles and challenges. Played his part in Celtic’s second goal of the afternoon as he instigated the move after winning a tackle down the right.
Dedryck Boyata: 8
Had initial trouble against Kyle Lafferty but settled in well defensively and also equalised minutes after Lafferty’s opener as he rose above everyone to head home Ntcham’s delivery.
Kristoffer Ajer: 7.5
Continues to impress in Celtic’s deep defence. The teenager was well-positioned after a nervy few minutes in the very beginning and dominated the game both physically as well as aerially inside the box.
Callum McGregor: 7
Started the game as a left-back and the versatile Scotsman once again impressed all by adapting to a new role. He not only exhibited his attacking flair but also tracked back time and again to perform his defensive responsibilities.
Scott Brown: 7.5
The skipper, as always, controlled the flow from a central role. He was combative, did not allow the hosts to win the midfield battle and his holding traits allowed space for Ntcham to stride forward and participate in attacking movements high up the pitch.
Olivier Ntcham: 8
Kept on making box-to-box runs, assisted Boyata’s equalizer and tried to test Hearts custodian Jon McLaughlin with his long-range efforts.
James Forrest: 7
Has been in flying form in recent weeks, troubled Hearts backline time and again with his cut insides and crosses from the right flank but failed to contribute in the scoresheet.
Tom Rogic: 8
Celtic’s Australian wizard once again left an impression as long as he was on the pitch. His sublime pass found Moussa Dembele who made no mistake in earning his side a lead in the second half. Rogic hit the woodwork and caused enough trouble for McLaughlin. Was replaced by Patrick Roberts late in the game.
Odsonne Edouard: 6.5
Played in an unusual left-wing role. Combined well with McGregor and used the width of the pitch quite well. He, however, looked worn-out in the second half and was replaced by Scott Sinclair minutes before the hour mark.
Moussa Dembele: 8.5
Hit the woodwork in the first half but his exquisite finish from Rogic’s sublime pass earned his side a second-half lead. Was replaced by Stuart Armstrong around an hour mark.
Substitutes
Scott Sinclair: 7
Was introduced in the second half. Marked his name on the scoresheet with a simple finish in the dying seconds of the game.
Stuart Armstrong: 7
His amazing run allowed the Hoops to break down a depleted Hearts defence and the Scotsman unselfishly placed it for Sinclair to finish it from close range in dying seconds.
Patrick Roberts: 7
Exhibited his stunning skills despite being introduced late in the game.
