Reigning Premiership champions Celtic faced a 2-1 defeat in the second fixture of their French pre-season tour tonight after Neil Lennon opted to start a second string eleven. The likes of Patryk Klimala and Ewan Henderson were given opportunities to impress, but by the time the first-team came on, the Ligue 1 side were already 2-0 up. After the mass substitutions by Lennon, it changed into a different game. As the Lyon onslaught simmered down, Mohamed Elyounoussi scored a late consolation goal, and that’s how it stayed until full-time.
Here Are The Celtic Player Ratings Vs Lyon:
Celtic Player Ratings Vs Lyon
Scott Bain – 6
The stopper made a couple of decent saves over the course of the ninety but wasn’t really to blame for either of the Lyon goals tonight. Tried to release the ball quickly too.
Stephen Welsh – 5.5
Started the game looking confident, but things turned sour when the Lyon forwards began to find their rhythm. Had a tough time defending the box against the pacy movements of the French team.
Hatem Abd Elhamed – 5.5
The defender struggled to deal with the constant pressure from the Lyon front-line. Was caught out of position on multiple occasions and looked soft during set-piece situations as well.
Nir Bitton – 5.5
The versatile midfielder was deployed at the heart of defence by Lennon tonight, and he didn’t have the most impressive of outings. Like his partner, he was given a tough time by the Lyon attackers.
Boli Bolingoli – 4.5
The speedster made a couple of decent attacking forays over the course of the tie, but it was his defensive fragility that spoiled the night. Lost his man down the flank ahead of the clever Depay goal.
Karamoko Dembele – 5.5
The youngster was given a chance to impress from the start tonight, but he failed to grasp the opportunity. Made some good attacking runs but the ball just wouldn’t stick for him.
Ismaila Soro – 6
The midfielder made a couple of decent forward passes in the first half but failed to have a similar impact in the second period. Tried his best to get back and help out through the Lyon onslaught.
Olivier Ntcham – 6.5
The Frenchman played a couple of decent forward passes in the first half, but he wasn’t able to get a hold of the ball and make something happen. Was forced to do a lot of defending as well.
Scott Robertson – 6
The youngster was deployed in the Celtic engine room tonight, and he looked calm in possession on certain occasions. Helped out at the back and tried to push the team forward when on the ball too.
Ewan Henderson – 6.5
The youngster wasn’t able to impact the tie in the manner that he would’ve wanted because of the constant Lyon pressure. Made a couple of decent forward runs and forced a save out of the keeper.
Patryk Klimala – 7
The striker was undoubtedly the Celts’ best player from the eleven that started the game tonight. He pressed the Lyon defenders on every opportunity and made a couple of dangerous forward runs too.
Substitutes
Jeremie Frimpong – 6.5
The speedster showed much more intensity than the starting full-back, and he played some good crosses into the box too.
Christopher Jullien – 6
The centre-half held his ground well and ensured that the Lyon forwards didn’t have the space to make any meaningful inroads.
Kristoffer Ajer – 6
The young defender held his position effectively against the limited Lyon attacks in the last half an hour of the tie. Dealt with crosses well.
Greg Taylor – 6
Tried to make things happen down his end and overlapped the winger on every possible opportunity. Linked up well with the attackers too.
Scott Brown – 6
The veteran midfielder passed the ball around with confidence and was the starting point for every Celtic attack after coming on.
Callum McGregor – 6.5
The midfielder tried to get forward and support the attack whenever possible, and he linked up the play efficiently as well.
James Forrest – 6
Played a few decent passes but wasn’t able to impact the tie in the manner he would’ve liked. Made a couple of heavy tackles as well.
Ryan Christie – 6
The speedster didn’t have the most influential half an hour on the pitch tonight, but he certainly tried to make something happen in attack.
Mohamed Elyounoussi – 7
The Southampton loanee showed extreme confidence and composure to slot past the Lyon keeper in the final stages of the fixture.
Odsonne Edouard – 6.5
The Frenchman held the ball up pretty well but wasn’t able to threaten at the Lyon goal. Linked up play effectively though.
