After a shocking defeat against Kilmarnock and the early exit from the Scottish League Cup, Celtic were determined to bounce back this afternoon when they hosted St. Johnstone at Parkhead. They were outright favourites against the struggling Saints, but the fixture finished in a stalemate due to their lack of finishing and wasted chances.
Below are the Celtic players rated in their 0-0 draw against St. Johnstone.
Joe Hart: 7
Made a couple of routine saves inside the box and grabbed his first clean sheet of the 2023-24 campaign. His presence between the sticks helped the decimated defensive line throughout the tie.
Alistair Johnston: 7.5
Was handed a start straightway in spite of months of injury absence. The Canadian right fullback impressed with his overlapping runs and crosses before making way for Anthony Ralston around the hour mark.
Gustaf Lagerbielke: 7
Dominated the aerial duels and was sharp enough to make recoveries, interceptions and timely clearances. Could have been more accurate occasionally with his passing game.
Liam Scales: 7
A rare start for the Hoops outcast who got the nod due to the ongoing injury crisis in the heart of the backline. But he did extremely well, particularly in terms of playing it out from the back and maintaining accuracy while moving the ball.
Greg Taylor: 6.5
Whipped in a few crosses from the left. Those, however, failed to find a teammate high up the pitch. Was taken off for Alexandro Bernabei late in the game.
Callum McGregor: 6.5
Dominated the midfield game with his vision and distribution. Drew a few fouls, but was largely ineffective with his dribbles and down-the-middle runs.
David Turnbull: 6
Lacked the impact as a box-to-box midfielder. Got dispossessed a couple of times before making way for Sead Haksabanovic around the hour mark.
Matt O’Riley: 6.5
Was left frustrated despite his best efforts to break the deadlock. Was denied thrice by Dimitar Mitov in the Saints’ goal. Failed with his dribbles and final deliveries while operating as a ‘number 8’.
Hyun-Jun Yang: 6
Tried to be direct with his pace and flair from the flank. Had his moments in the attacking third but lacked the decision-making before being replaced by James Forrest midway through the second half.
Daizen Maeda: 5.5
An underwhelming performance from the Japanese attacker who struggled to control the ball in the final third. Made way for Liel Abada around the hour mark.
Kyogo Furuhashi: 6
Like his compatriot, the Bhoys’ goal machine could not test the Saints’ keeper at all. Could not offer anything spectacular while spearheading the attack.
Celtic Subs vs St. Johnstone
Anthony Ralston: 6.5
Linked up well down the right since coming on in place of Johnston.
Sead Haksabanovic: 6
Could not make a difference as a second-half substitute.
Liel Abada: 6
His tricky runs and footwork failed to cause menace against the resolute St. Johnstone defence.
James Forrest: 6
Was off-paced and late to react while chasing the final deliveries.
Alexandro Bernabei: 6.5
Tried to cut inside and offer his pace down the left-hand flank.
