Celtic hosted St. Johnstone on Christmas Eve as the Hoops searched for their eleventh consecutive league victory.
And said hunt was a successful one as braces from Japanese duo Kyogo and Reo Hatate helped the champions to a thorough 4-1 victory.
Here’s how the players rated.
Joe Hart – 6/10
Hart had little to do between the sticks today. The visitors did get their consolation goal in the second half, a phase of play in which the Englishman made two solid saves, however other than that, Callum Davidson’s side didn’t put together many imposing attacking moves.
Reo Hatate – 9/10
Filling in for the injured Anthony Ralston, Reo Hatate put in a masterful performance at right back. The Japanese opened the scoring 14 minutes in with a thunderous finish from the edge of the box and in the second half, gave his side their fourth, calmly slotting home from inside the area after a smart one-two with James Forrest. Going forward, Hatate amply linked the play as he marauded down the right hand side and was sound defensively as well. It will be intriguing to see if the 25 year old continues at right back at Easter Road on Wednesday evening.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 8/10
Despite Celtic not keeping a clean sheet, Cameron Carter-Vickers was well-founded at the heart of the Celtic defence. The American was intelligent in his play on the ball and stepped out of the defence well on a number of occasions.
Carl Starfelt – 7/10
The Swede has been one of Celtic’s most consistent performers since the return of action and continued that run this afternoon. Starfelt is only growing and developing as a Hoops’ player as time goes on and today, he made several clearances as he remained sound at the heart of the defence.
Greg Taylor – 6/10
Greg Taylor was passable as he played the full game at left-back. The Scotland international didn’t particularly stand out, although Taylor failed to put a foot wrong.
Callum McGregor – 7/10
The Celtic captain was adequate once more in midfield today. Callum McGregor kept play ticking over, made sure his passing was up to the mark and drove forward on a number of occasions.
Aaron Mooy – 8/10
Aaron Mooy stood out in Celtic’s engine room today. The former Brighton man was one of his side’s most consistent performers and extremely seldomly misplaced a pass as he was tidy in his overall performance. Moreover, he smartly played in Reo Hatate for the goal which broke the deadlock at Celtic Park this afternoon. It is fair to say Mooy continued to be a reliable option for Ange Postecoglou and proved that once more today.
Matt O’Riley – 7/10
The Dane was a continual presence in and around the St. Johnstone penalty area in the match. Matt O’Riley made some lovely passes and managed to set up Kyogo for the striker’s first with an accurate low ball which found the 27-year-old at the front post. At 22, O’Riley will only improve over time and mould into a key asset for Celtic.
Daizen Maeda – 6/10
It is hard to recall any moments of magic Daizen Maeda conjures up today. The Japanese winger was rather quiet before coming off on 63 minutes.
James Forrest – 8/10
We seen shades of a vintage James Forrest this afternoon as the 31-year-old drove in from the right with venom in a few occasions. As well as this, Forrest disclosed the creative side of his game today as he flashed brilliantly across the goal for Kyogo to get his second of the afternoon.
Kyogo – 8/10
Celtic’s Japanese striker moved to the top of the Scottish Premiership scoring charts this afternoon with a clinical brace. Kyogo opened the scoring early on with a goal almost identical to his one on Wednesday evening at the front post and bagged his second five from halftime with a clever flick to beat Remi Matthews from close range. The 27-year-old now has 13 in 16 league appearances in 2022/23 so far, a more than respectable record.
Substitutes
James Forrest, Daizen Maeda and Aaron Mooy all made way for Sead Haksabanovic, Jota and Liel Abada, respectively, just after the hour.
Haksabanovic got on the ball a fair bit and drifted all around the final third meanwhile, Jota constantly looked to link up with Greg Taylor and create opportunities. Abada, on the other hand, easily could’ve had his name on the scoresheet on a few occasions, with the Israeli lacking the composure to finish after getting in behind twice.
The other two Celtic subs saw Giorgos Giakoumakis and David Turnbull come on. The Greek striker was poor with his first touch and easily could’ve netted with a header had he not directed it straight down the throat of Matthews. Meanwhile, Turnbull received a red card deep into stoppage time for a high boot on the St. Johnstone’s keeper. The midfielder will now miss Wednesday’s trip to Easter Road.
And from said visit to Leith, Celtic must take away three points as after it; they face a crucial Glasgow derby with Rangers, a side they are still nine points ahead of after today’s victory.
