Celtic and Aberdeen played out a seven-goal thriller, and the Hoops came away with all three points. This win ensures that they head to Ibrox at the top of the table. But Aberdeen would be disappointed that they couldn’t manage even a point after finding the back of the net three times.
Celtic started on the ascendency and Callum McGregor’s smart run set up the first goal for Scott Sinclair who dispatched the ball into an empty net. The Dons got into the game due to some atrocious decision making from Emilio Izaguirre who caught his man on the follow through inside the box and Stevie May scored from the resultant penalty kick.
The second half was a see-saw battle, and the game turned into an end to end match. Odsonne Edouard was the major game changer and he had a part in all the goals after coming on. Scott Sinclair scored a hattrick, but Edouard’s cameo was the real turning point. The referee though almost turned the game as he got the decision for Aberdeen’s second penalty absolutely wrong.
Here is how the Bhoys fared in their 4-3 win.
Craig Gordon 6
Wasn’t tested much throughout the game. Conceded from 2 penalties. Couldn’t have done much for the third goal.
Emilio Izaguirre 3
Couldn’t offer much while going forward. Made a rash late challenge in the penalty box which he could have avoided. Chucked out at halftime.
Filip Benkovic 6.5
Had a decent game and looked under control at the back. Won some headers and was strong in his challenges.
Dedryck Boyata 5.5
Made a comeback from injury and looked shaky. His distribution was slightly nerve-wracking. Hopefully, he would be back at his best in the derby.
Mikael Lustig 6
Always looked to bomb forward and supported the attack well. Can provide much more quality while on the ball.
Tom Rogic 5
The Australian has been struggling to get going for quite some time now and today was another disappointing performance. Gave the ball away cheaply on quite a few occasions and wasn’t incisive with his passing.
Scott Brown 6
Used his experience well in midfield and kept things moving. Thwarted some attacks with some good interceptions. Was strong in his challenges.
Callum McGregor 6.5
Dictated the play and was always in the thick of things in the attacking third. Played a major role in the first goal.
James Forrest 5
Failed to get involved much in the first half and didn’t influence the game. Made some good darting runs in the second half but lacked the final product.
Scott Sinclair 7.5
Scored some easy goals from close range. His pace was tough for the opposing defence to handle. Credit for being at the right place at the right time.
Ryan Christie 6
Played as a false nine and his smart runs caused a lot of problems to the Dons’ defence early on. Got into some decent goalscoring opportunities. Fizzled out a bit as the game went on.
Substitutes
Jonny Hayes 6.5
Did a decent job as a makeshift left back and looked composed on the ball and linked up play well with Sinclair.
Odsonne Edouard 9
Played less than half an hour but changed the game entirely. Had a hand in all the goals after coming on and showed why Celtic paid the big bucks for him in the summer.
Kristoffer Ajer N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
