Celtic 5-1 Hamilton – Player Ratings

Celtic started off the 2020/21 campaign in fine form, putting five past Hamilton Accies to kick off what could be a huge season ahead for the hoops.

The Bhoys were able to grab an early lead, in what was their return to competitive action for the first time in five months, through who else other than Odsonne Edouard. A brilliant ball across goal by left-back Greg Taylor meant Edouard was able to tap home with ease.

Shortly after, Greg Taylor was involved again grabbing another assist. This time it was for opposite fullback Jeremie Frimpong. Another delightful ball found its way into the box, all the way across to the back post, where Frimpong was waiting to thrash into the net.

Before half time, though, Accies were able to get themselves back into the game through a very scruffy goal. A ling free-kick was knocked down at the far post, to the edge of the box. Accies midfielder Scott Martin had a shot which looked to be a poor one, heading wide.

However, it was able to take two deflections off both Callum McGregor and Christopher Jullien, which sent Scott Bain the wrong way, finding the back of the net.

All doubt was put aside early in the second half though as Celtic grabbed their third of the game. Yet again, it came from a cross, this time it was on the right from James Forrest. As the winger found himself in space, he put in a beautifully weighted cross to Edouard who finished brilliantly past Ryan Fulton.

Just four minutes later, Edouard was able to get what was only his second hat-trick at the club. Another good piece of play, which started from back to front, meant that Ryan Christie was able to have an effort on goal inside the area. His shot was a poor one, though. Accies keeper, Fulton was only able to palm the ball to Edouard though who placed into the empty net.

As the game died down a bit, Neil Lennon made several changes to the side, to get some fitness in other players throughout the squad.

One of the substitutes, Patryk Klimala, was able to score Celtics fifth and final goal of the game. The striker who has impressed during pre-season, finished from a tight angle late in the game, much to the delight of his team-mates and manager.

These are the player ratings from the game

Scott Bain- 6

In the early moments of the game, the keeper faced several corners and had one save to make, which he tipped over the bar from Andrew Winter.

For the Accies goal, some may say he could have done better in moving across to stop the effort after coming so close to keeping it out, though I feel that would be harsh on Bain after it had already taken two deflections.

He didn’t have much to do in the second half, as Celtic pushed on and grabbed three more goals in the game.

Jeremie Frimpong- 8

At the end of last season, Frimpong secured his position as number one right-back at the club after some impressive showings. Today he looked to carry that into this game

Frimpong was as ever a nightmare for the Accies defence to deal with. His pace is electric, and you could see how much it was troubling them when he was taken down by Scott Martin in the first half.

He done well to play his part in the first goal, while also showing reasonable anticipation to get onto the ball for his finish. It was another impressive showing for the Dutch fullback who is showing he can really hold his own in the team.

Christopher Jullien- 6

Jullien was his ever-present self in the Hamilton Accies box in the first half having the Bhoys first effort on goal before having one come off the post shortly after.

The defence did look a little bit shaky from set-pieces as Hamilton looked to try and exploit a weakness in the Celtic defence.

Even when Hamilton played with the two up top, Jullien looked assured and done well to clear his lines on several occasions. I’m sure there’s still more to come in the season ahead for the central defender.

Kristoffer Ajer- 6

Another okay performance from the Norweigan who wasn’t really tested too much. At times was caught flat-footed and beaten to headers in the penalty area from corners.

Ajer continued to show why he can be invaluable when it comes to the attacking side of the game also, contributing in bringing the ball out of defence well, with some key passes and long dribbles that we are used too.

The partnership between both Ajer and Jullien seems to be blossoming so; hopefully, we continue to see it this season.

Greg Taylor- 7

At times Taylor was criticised for the attacking side of his game at the end of last season. Today though, that was arguably the best side of his game.

Setting up two goals, with two well-placed crosses into the box gave Odsonne Edouard and Jeremie Frimpong easy finishes into the net.

In the second half, he looked to tire a bit, but he is another one who seems to have locked down the left-back position, for now.

Scott Brown- 5 

The captain plays a massive part in the squad, but today he wasn’t at his best.

On the ball he looked a bit slow at times but was his usual battling self, winning possession back on a number of occasions.

It is probably just a case of getting up to speed for Brown, who will have a big role in the clubs run towards trying to achieve 10 in a row.

Callum McGregor- 6

McGregor kept the ball ticking over throughout the match, as we are so used to seeing from the Scottish international.

It has become a skill that McGregor is so good at doing, which also impacts the team’s flow of play as a whole. Playing some superb balls in behind the Hamilton defence

Not his best performance today but certainly not his worst, as he continues to keep his incredibly high standards going.

Ryan Christie- 6

The attacking midfielder hasn’t looked as his full best since returning to pre-season, but today he slowly looked like he was starting to increase the levels.

His covered an incredible amount of ground, showing he definitely hasn’t lost the fitness aspect to his game.

Probably should have scored but his chance ended up falling to the feet of Odsonne Edouard to grab his hat-trick.

James Forrest- 6

In the first half, the winger wasn’t really in the game at all, with not much action coming down the right from Forrest

In the second, though, his performance improved considerably. Put in a brilliant cross for Edouard to score his second and came close to scoring  a goal himself that was tipped round the post by Ryan Fulton

Mohammed Elyounoussi- 6

There are a lot of high expectations for ‘Moi’ who had an expectational pre-season. In this game, though, he was kept reasonably quiet.

Some of his movement and passes though made him so difficult to deal with for the Hamilton defence to struggled to stay close to the Norwegian for the 70 minutes he was on.

Odsonne Edouard- 9

The Frenchman started where he left off, grabbing a hat-trick on the opening day of the season.

Some may say they were three simple finishes, but it is no coincidence Edouard is in the right place at the right time.

As well as getting the goals, done well all round, coming deep to impact the play and help create chances.

Subs

Patryk Klimala- 5

The Polish striker has looked a completely different man since the return after working so hard during lockdown.

Has hard work paid off today getting the final goal in the game—an excellent finish from what looked a tight angle. Klimala still has more to do to prove himself, but this is a good starting point.

Ntcham- 4

Was given 20 minutes after replacing Elyounoussi. Wasn’t really able to have an impact in the game. Some may have felt he deserved a start after a good pre-season.

Elhamed- 3

Dembele-3

Both came on alongside Klimala but were not really able to get also involved, playing under 10 minutes. Probably more about getting the minutes in the legs for the dup