Premiership champions Celtic dropped their first points of the new league season after playing out an extremely frustrating 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock. The Parkhead club started the game looking extremely strong, and the initial signs indicated a similar result to the one they got last weekend. The first-half free-kick goal by Ryan Christie was a thing of beauty, and despite a strong command over proceedings, they failed to find that invaluable second goal. Chris Burke netted from the spot to even things up on the night. Although the Bhoys did turn up the pressure, a determined Killie defence-line stood firm on their plastic pitch against the continuous waves of orchestrated (yet ultimately toothless) Celtic attacks.
Here Are The Celtic Player Ratings Vs Kilmarnock:
Celtic Player Ratings Vs Kilmarnock
Vasilis Barkas – 7
The Greek stopper had a decent debut in between the sticks for the Celts as he made a flurry of smart saves and collections over the course of the ninety. Looked composed on the ball as well.
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
Made some good attacking forays in the first half and linked up play fairly efficiently. Overlapped the winger on every possible opportunity but was hauled off around the hour mark by Lennon.
Christopher Jullien – 5
The centre-half had his fair share of shaky moments in the box, but he stepped up and made some important tackles in the defensive third as well. Looked to find some sharp forward passes too.
Kristoffer Ajer – 6.5
Like his central defensive partner, Ajer too had some moments to forget over the course of that tie. Made some vital headed clearances against aerial crosses though, and held his position well.
Greg Taylor – 6.5
The speedster spent a majority of the fixture in the Kilmarnock half, but there were phases all over the tie where he was forced to do a lot of defending. Moved the ball around with decent confidence.
Scott Brown – 6.5
The skipper wasn’t able to impact the tie in an attacking perspective tonight, but he ensured that the ball was kept ticking from the Celtic engine room. Made a couple of rash tackles and got himself booked.
Callum McGregor – 7
The midfielder passed the ball around well and ensured that the pace of the game didn’t drop in the late stages as the Celts pushed for a potential winner. Calm and composed in possession as well.
James Forrest – 6
The speedster dropped deep to pick the ball up on innumerable instances though the fixture but wasn’t able to create that final ball in attack. Some good passes but not penetrative enough in the final third.
Ryan Christie – 7
The attacker produced a moment of fantastic quality in the first-half when he scored a free-kick from improbable range. Made some good passes but wasn’t able to create any end-product otherwise.
Mohamed Elyounoussi – 6
The Southampton loanee was unable to weave his usual magic in attack today as a lot of Celtic’s play was in front of an eleven-man Killie wall. Played a couple of decent crosses into the box though.
Odsonne Edouard – 6.5
The Frenchman tried to make attacking inroads through the heart of Killie defence on various occasions tonight but wasn’t able to produce anything meaningful. Picked up some good positions in the box.
Substitutes
Hatem Abd Elhamed – 6
Drove forward with the ball at his feet as the Bhoys pushed for a winning goal. Some neat passes out from the back but not much influence in the attacking phase.
Patryk Klimala – 6
The forward didn’t have too many opportunities in the box to really have an impact. Came inches away from meeting a Christie cross late into the second half though.
Olivier Ntcham – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
