Celtic moved two points clear of closest rivals Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership this afternoon (Sunday) as they put Hearts to the sword in an adequate 2-0 victory.
Striking duo Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis were on the scoresheet for the Hoops as they continued their hot run of form at the beginning of the 2022/23 season. Here’s how each player faired in the match.
Joe Hart – 7/10
Hearts had no shots on target in the match meaning Joe Hart was relatively untroubled although the Englishman was alert in coming for crosses and corners as well as being quick of his line for numerous Hearts balls over the top. Today’s clean sheet was the Englishman’s third in the league this season.
Josip Juranovic – 9/10
The Croatian was a standout at right back today. Juranovic made several driving runs out of defence and was up to the challenge when asked going back. In attack, the 27 year old covered the right hand side well and slid an inviting ball across goal for Giorgos Giakoumakis’ late strike.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 7/10
Cameron Carter-Vickers, along with Moritz Jenz, helped keep the Hearts attack quiet throughout the match. The American was composed on the ball and kept the consistency in his performances up.
Moritz Jenz – 8/10
German centre back Moritz Jenz was up to the challenge opposition striker Liam Boyce provided him this afternoon. Jenz was dominant aerially, assured on the ball and read the game tremendously, making numerous blocks as he continued to impress in the short time he’s spent at Celtic thus far.
Greg Taylor – 7/10
Greg Taylor done the job that was asked of him this afternoon. The Scot has taken like a duck to water in the inverted full back role in Ange Postecoglou’s team and it appears Alexandro Bernabei will have a tough task of breaking into the side as long as Taylor is fit and able.
Callum McGregor – 7/10
As ever, the Celtic captain kept things ticking over for his side in midfield in the holding role. McGregor was full of vivacity and energy and disclosed the creative side of his game when moved further forward in the engine room when Aaron Mooy was introduced.
David Turnbull – 6/10
David Turnbull hasn’t endured the best run of form since a hot-streak in pre-season. Nonetheless, the 23 year old got the nod today in spite of Reo Hatate’s return to fitness although was rather quiet before being subbed off for the Japanese midfielder on 56 minutes.
Matt O’Riley – 7/10
O’Riley is still yet to open his 2022/23 Celtic account and was still unable to do so today. However the Dane still covered a lot of ground, drove at the Hearts defence from midfield a few times and opened up play on some occasions.
Daizen Maeda – 7/10
Playing on the right flank today, Daizen Maeda got his third assist in four Celtic games so far this campaign. The mercurial Japanese winger played until the 56th minute and was unlucky not to net in the first half when his header was saved by Ross Stewart in the Jambos’ goal.
Kyogo Furuhashi – 8/10
Kyogo made it three goals in as many games this afternoon with his opener on 13 minutes. When Daizen Maeda got in behind Alex Cochrane and crossed for his compatriot who practically had an open goal to aim at, it was always going to be a Celtic goal. Along with scoring, Kyogo also contributed in build up play, dropping far deeper than he did against Kilmarnock last week to complete a performance which merited the in-stadium man of the match.
Jota – 8/10
Today’s match was the first of the season where Jota didn’t contribute to a goal. That didn’t mean the Portuguese was muted, though, as he remained ever creative and full of flair on the left wing.
Substitutes
Two changes were made by Ange Postecoglou on the 56th minute which saw Daizen Maeda and David Turnbull be replaced by Liel Abada and Reo Hatate.
The former didn’t make the most significant difference to the match, being rather hesitant on the ball at times but on the other hand, Hatate’s presence was notable. The Japanese was ever-composed and played some key passes. In addition, the 24 year old was unfortunate not to score moments after coming on as his low, powerful shot from inside the box went just wide of the post.
The 72nd minute saw Celtic make their final two changes of the afternoon. Aaron Mooy, who came on for Matt O’Riley, took up the anchoring position in midfield and was ample enough, keeping it simple yet look effortless.
The other Hoops change at this juncture was one we’ve come to expect this season as Kyogo made way for Giorgos Giakoumakis. As was the case against Kilmarnock last week, the Greek striker got on the scoresheet, bundling home from inside the six yard box to make sure of the points for his side moments after both Alex Cochrane and Toby Sibbick were sent off for Hearts after second bookable offences.
On the eye, today’s Celtic performance may not have been the most pleasing although the Hoops certainly dominated their opponent.
Three points is always the target for any league match and that’s exactly what was achieved by Ange Postecoglou who sit two points clear at the top of the table ahead of a trip to Tannadice next weekend.
It is a 12 noon kick off next Sunday against a Dundee United side who have conceded 14 goals in their last three matches, a record Ange Postecoglou will be looking to make even worse.
Rangers?
Rangers are dead and have been since 2012.
Where does this website find these people?
THIS!
ratings like this are always mostly subjective, however, your statement that Jenz was ‘dominant aerially’ is factually incorrect considering the number of times Boyce won the header.
I would also question JJ getting 9, when I think the cross for the goal at the end was about the only decent one.