Celtic player ratings v Dundee – Forrest dazzles, 2/10 has just 10 touches
Celtic secured another huge three points in their race for the title after grinding out a 2-1 victory against Dundee on Sunday (28 April).
James Forrest scored two well-taken goals either side of half-time before Antonio Portales’s effort found the back of the net following a botched clearance from Hoops forward Adam Idah.
Brendan Rodgers’s side enjoyed 69 per cent of the possession, but they were pushed all the way by Dundee, with both teams having six shots on target at Dens Park.
Football Insider has analysed the Celtic players’ performances out of 10 against Dundee.
Joe Hart [7]
After being kept fairly busy throughout the game, Joe Hart can be pleased with his performance. The goalkeeper, who is set to retire at the end of the season, made five saves as he helped his side pick up an important victory. He perhaps could have been better with his distribution after all nine of his long balls forward failed to find a teammate, but he had no chance of keeping Dundee’s goal out.
Alistair Johnston [5]
Alistair Johnston was largely ineffective throughout the afternoon. The right-backed failed to make any tackles and was wasteful in possession, giving the ball away 23 times as he recorded just a 67 per cent pass success rate. He also made two fouls as his side came under a little bit of pressure in the second half.
Cameron Carter-Vickers [6]
It was a decent performance from Cameron Carter-Vickers. The centre-back made eight clearances to go alongside the one tackle he made, having won seven of his 10 duels in the victory. He also made two key passes and had one shot off target.
Liam Scales [8]
After winning 11 of his 16 duels, Liam Scales was the pick of the Celtic defenders. He gave the Dundee attackers little chance to make things happen following a strong display. The defender looked much more comfortable on the ball than he has in previous matches, recording an 86 per cent pass success rate and making two key passes.
Greg Taylor [6]
It was another reasonable performance from Greg Taylor. He should have got on the scoresheet early on but continued to provide an option down the left for the Hoops. The left-back won all three of his duels, but he did give the ball away 23 times.
Celtic midfielders struggle to make impact despite victory
Reo Hatate [6]
Reo Hatate was probably the best of the three in midfield. He looked to get on the ball at every opportunity after having 83 touches, with his late effort coming back off the post. The Japanese won six of his nine duels and created one big chance for his side, but he was yet another Celtic player to concede possession on 23 occasions.
Callum McGregor [5]
It certainly wasn’t a vintage Callum McGregor performance. The captain looked a little bit sluggish at times, completing just one of his five long balls and only 50 per cent of his attempted dribbles. He was replaced on 72 minutes as he continues his comeback from injury.
Matt O’Riley [5]
It was a similar story to McGregor for Matt O’Riley as he failed to reach the heights of some of his previous performances. The midfielder won just one of his 10 duels and was unsuccessful with both of dribbles. He did, however, record a 95 per cent pass success rate after making two key passes.
James Forrest steals show for Celtic against Dundee
James Forrest [9]
Forrest continued his incredible comeback at Celtic after previously being frozen out of the side. The winger scored with both of his shots on target and made one key pass throughout the afternoon. He also did a job for his side from a defensive standpoint, winning three of his six duels after making two tackles. The victory wouldn’t have been possible without his key contribution.
Kyogo Furuhashi [2]
It certainly wasn’t an afternoon to remember for Kyogo. The forward had just 10 touches of the ball in his 62 minutes on the pitch, finding a teammate with just two of his three passes. Although he recorded an assist, he simply has to do more if he wants to continue leading the line for the Hoops.
Nicolas Kuhn [6]
Although Nicolas Kuhn would have liked to have done better with a couple of opportunities, he carried a threat early on before fading later in the game. The winger had three shots on goal and made five tackles as he did his defensive duties well for his side.
SUBSTITUTES
Adam Idah [3]
After his mistake for the goal, it isn’t a game Idah will look back on with great fondness. He also gave the ball away eight times despite only having 20 touches.
Tomoki Iwata [5]
The midfielder put in a decent performance off the bench as he recorded a 95 per cent pass success rate.
Luis Palma [4]
It was difficult for Luis Palma to make much of an impression after coming on with just 18 minutes left to play, but he would have liked to have done better after giving the ball away six times.
In other news, Celtic and Rangers held back by ‘old-fashioned’ SPFL – Keith Wyness.
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