Celtic faced off against AIK at the Friends Arena in the UEFA Europa League playoffs earlier tonight carrying a 2-0 advantage from their home leg. The visitors made a quick start to the match and scored in the 17th minute via James Forrest’s goal. However, Sebastian Larsson gave the home side some hope when he equalised from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute.
It took the Glaswegian giants just a minute to get themselves ahead again when the AIK goalkeeper Oscar Linner scored an unfortunate own goal. Neil Lennon’s men went on to score two quick-fire goals via Christopher Jullien and Lewis Morgan in the final quarter of the contest to cap off a memorable 4-1 win away in Sweden.
Let’s take a look at how each Celtic player performed during the match against AIK.
GK: Craig Gordon – 7/10
The Scottish goalkeeper was hardly tested during the game but reacted well when called into action.
RB: Kristoffer Ajer – 5/10
He had to limp off early in the game and was replaced by Anthony Ralston in the 13th minute.
CB: Christopher Jullien – 7/10
The French defender was aerially dominant and commanded his own box with authority. However, he was also guilty of making a couple of defensive errors at the back. Jullien topped off a memorable night with a goal as well.
CB: Nir Bitton – 6.5/10
He made some important interceptions for his side but struggled to win too many 50-50 aerial duels, unlike his centre-back partner.
LB: Boli Bolingoli Mbombo – 5.5/10
He looked a bit vulnerable in defence and was guilty of conceding a soft penalty in the first half. Really needs to improve in the game against Rangers on the weekend.
CM: Scott Brown – 6.5/10
Brown put in a captain’s performance at the heart of the Celtic midfield. He was a solid presence at the centre of the park despite his struggles to adapt to the pace and intensity of the game.
CM: Callum McGregor – 7/10
He linked up play well with others around him and put in a decent shift in midfield.
RM: James Forrest – 9/10
The Scottish winger opened the goal-scoring with a wonderful goal in the 17th minute. He passed the ball accurately and was a potent threat in the AIK half.
CAM: Michael Johnston – 7.5/10
He made some driving runs from midfield which caused a lot of headaches for the AIK defenders.
LM: Ryan Christie – 7/10
The Scotsman worked his socks off in the opposition half and was unfortunate not to have scored tonight.
ST: Odsonne Edouard – 8/10
The French striker played a brilliant pass to James Forrest in the lead up to the opening goal of the contest. It was another excellent display from the Celtic talisman. However, he sustained a hamstring problem late in the game which will be a cause for concern for Celtic ahead of their clash against Rangers this weekend.
Substitutes:
ST: Vakoun Issouf Bayo – 5/10
He came close to scoring with his attempt in the second half.
LM: Lewis Morgan – 7.5/10
Morgan headed home an injury-time goal which will delight him.
RB: Anthony Ralston – 6.5/10
He put in a decent shift at right-back after coming on to replace Ajer early in the game.
