Celtic player ratings v St Mirren – 9/10 Palma stuns, 2/10 loses ball 11 times
Celtic stamped their authority on the Scottish Premiership with a 3-2 draw against St Mirren at Parkhead on 18 May, with the title already wrapped up.
Mark O’Hara opened the scoring for the visitors before a goal from Matt O’Riley equalised. O’Hara then found the net again from the penalty spot before Kyogo Furuhashi scored to send the sides into half-time level at 2-2.
The second half was more of a non-event as the game grew cagey, but a late finish from Luis Palma allowed Celtic to finish the season in style with a 3-2 win.
Football Insider has rated the Celtic players’ performances out of 10 against St Mirren.
PLAYER RATINGS
Joe Hart [6]
Hart’s final game at Parkhead was certainly an eventful and emotional one, but he will be disappointed with his performance personally. The keeper made zero saves in the game as both shots on target found the net, although a 100 per cent pass accuracy was impressive.
It was an emotional moment for everybody at Parkhead as Hart was brought off with just three minutes to play as he received a fantastic ovation from the supporters.
Anthony Ralston [6]
A good enough display going forward as he won four fouls, completed two key passes and picked up an assist, but he made just one tackle as his only defensive contribution and failed to help a leaky defensive unit.
Stephen Welsh [2]
Celtic sorely missed Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back as Brendan Rodgers opted to heavily rotate his side with the title wrapped up ahead of the Scottish Cup final.
Welsh gave away a penalty and won just 50 per cent of his ground duels while giving possession away 11 times in what proved to be a difficult game before going off with a shoulder injury.
Maik Nawrocki [5]
Similar to his teammate, Nawrocki was a victim of Rodgers’ rotation, although he grew into the game, making four clearances and two blocks alongside his 94 per cent pass accuracy.
Greg Taylor [7]
A solid performance for the left-back who proved a constant threat down the left flank, completing three key passes while firing six crosses into the box, as well as winning 100 per cent of his aerial duels.
The Celtic midfield dominated and played a crucial part in the win
Callum McGregor [6]
The captain was bullied by his opponent for St Mirren’s opening goal but grew into the game as he completed 100 per cent of his crosses and 95 per cent of his passes and won 100 per cent of his aerial duels in midfield.
Matt O’Riley [7]
Proved once again why he cleaned up at the club’s Player of the Year awards as he fired in Celtic’s first goal of the game. Alongside his goal, the midfielder recorded a 100 per cent long pass accuracy as he helped control the midfield.
Reo Hatate [8]
Played a fantastic cross that was fizzed into the front post where Kyogo Furuhashi was on hand to turn the ball into the net. His passing and creativity were on display yet again as he recorded one key pass while completing 100 per cent of his crosses.
He also won 100 per cent of his duels in midfield, both on the ground and in the air.
Game-changing attackers gave Celtic the advantage
Nicolas Kuhn [4]
Fairly ineffective on the right-hand side but was unlucky not to come away with an assist after Luis Palma turned his inch-perfect cross wide.
The winger completed no crosses or key passes, while a 25 per cent dribble success rate and losing possession 18 times saw him struggle.
Luis Palma [9]
Found a lovely finish into the back of the net to win the game late on. His wicked deliveries from corners caused St Mirren plenty of issues while he provided a constant threat going forward and on the ball.
15 crosses were fired into the box, with one big chance created, as the winger completed 100 per cent of his dribbles and long passes.
Kyogo Furuhashi [7]
Took his goal expertly after making a smart run across the front post where he was on hand to turn the cross home.
Struggled to compete with the physical centre-backs at times, winning just 50 per cent of his duels, but his finishing was clinical as ever, hitting the target with 100 per cent of his efforts.
SUBSTITUTES
Liam Scales [7]
Scales helped to solidify Celtic’s defence from the bench as he dominated in his duels and turned in an assured defensive display.
Tomoki Iwata [6]
Kept things ticking in midfield with some assured passing as the game wound to a close.
Adam Idah [6]
Idah’s hold-up play was impressive as ever as he continued to show why fans want him to remain beyond this season.
Paulo Bernardo [N/A]
Scott Bain [N/A]
In other news, a big update has emerged in the race to sign Jake Clarke-Salter.
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