Celtic, under Brendan Rodgers, have maintained superiority in domestic competitions over past two campaigns and are now vowed to improve their show abroad, almost clinching a place in the prestigious UEFA Champions League group league encounter. They have eased past Armenian outfit Alashkert in the first qualifying round but were expecting a tricky contest against the reigning Norwegian champions Rosenborg BK. The Hoops have not flexed their muscle significantly in the transfer market and the unavailability of several first-team individuals made the tie look like a competitive one. Yet they were favourites to snatch a win at Parkhead and the outing eventually ended in a 3-1 win for the Bhoys despite an early scare.
Below are the Celtic players rated in their win against Rosenborg BK.
Craig Gordon: 6.5
Was busy in early minutes and conceded 0ne when Birger Meling opened the scoring around 15th-minute mark. Celtic dominated the show thereafter and the visitors rarely troubled the veteran custodian ever since their opener.
Cristian Gamboa: 7
The Costa Rican was handed a rare start due to the unavailability of Mikael Lustig who is on vacation following his World Cup stint with Sweden. Gamboa did a fair job in his preferred right-back role and delivered a balanced defensive as well as attacking display.
Jack Hendry: 7.5
The young centre-back delivered a towering show after conceding early and maintained composure at the back with some decisive interceptions and clearances. Was denied by the woodwork as he came close to score with a header in closing minutes.
Kristoffer Ajer: 7
The Norwegian youngster partnered Hendry well at the back, was decent throughout and helped his side to put the pressure on to stage a comeback.
Kieran Tierney: 6.5
Was not the best of his performances, however, the young left-back kept on making overlap runs, whipped in crosses and played some decent one-twos down the flank.
Callum McGregor: 7.5
The versatile Scotsman ruled the show in midfield and kept on testing the opposition custodian with his efforts. His curler from crashed off the post early in the second half.
Scott Brown: 7
The skipper played his natural game and helped the Hoops to take charge of the midfield game with his tackles, snatching and holding traits.
Oliver Ntcham: 8.5
The Frenchman started the new season from where he left off the last term as he earned his side lead seconds into the second half with a stunning effort from outside the box. Was taken off to be replaced by Tom Rogic with 15 minutes remaining.
James Forrest: 7
Played Edouard in late in the game who made no mistake to extend the lead and earned his side an insurance goal before the next week’s return leg tie.
Scott Sinclair: 7.5
Forced Andre Hansen making a decent stop and also laid on Odsonne Edouard inside the box who equalized late in the first half.
Odsonne Edouard: 9
The club-record signing of Celtic proved his worth in absence of Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffith as he scored twice, once in each half, to avoid an early scare and put Celtic in a comfortable slot before the return leg fixture.
Substitutes
Tom Rogic: 7
Was introduced late in the second half to be reintegrated with the squad.
