Celtic visited Hampden for the first time this season in the Viaplay Cup semi finals. Kilmarnock were the opposition on a rainy Saturday eveningas a place in the final against either Rangers or Aberdeen awaited today’s victors.
Daizen Maeda opened the scoring early on to ease any Celtic nerves before Giorgos Giakoumakis made sure of the win in stoppage time with a typical striker’s goal.
Here’s how the players rated.
Joe Hart – 7/10
The Englishman made a few crucial saves in tonight’s match. He denied Killie from taking the lead in the first quarter of an hour before making another vital save in the second half to prevent the Ayrshire side from levelling. Many wondered whether or not Hart would get the nod this evening because Benjamin Siegrist had played all of the Hoops’ league cup games up to this point however the veteran ‘keeper played the full game and one of his best performances in a while.
Josip Juranovic – 7/10
Rather surprisingly, Josip Juranovic started for Celtic at right back tonight. The Croatian was able to show how transfer speculation doesn’t affect him by putting in a sufficient performance. Juranovic was tidy in his overall play and wise in his defending. He also marauded forward with efficiency on a few occasions.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 7/10
The American stood firm on the whole for Celtic this evening. Carter-Vickers was accurate in his passing and proved consistent and reliable once more for his team.
Carl Starfelt – 6/10
Starfelt was rather shaky at times in tonight’s semi final. The Swedish defender gave some silly balls away when playing out from the back however defensively, he was sound. On the whole, Starfelt was passable but was tremulous on a few occasions.
Alexandro Bernabei – 6/10
In the first half, Alexandro Bernabei was poor. The Argentine was exposed by Danny Armstrong and couldn’t seem to get going when supporting his side in attack. After a disappointing opening 45, Bernabei sharpened up in the second half and got himself together. The 22 year old does still have a wealth of room for improvement and it is fair to see he is only playing right now because of Greg Taylor’s injury.
Callum McGregor – 7/10
The Celtic captain led by example in tonight’s clash. McGregor didn’t let any loose balls be picked up by opposition players in midfield and played some innovative passes in behind the Killie defence. Since the return of football from the World Cup, McGregor has been superb and week by week, epitomises consistency.
Reo Hatate – 6/10
The Japanese played sufficiently in midfield. Hatate didn’t make any characteristic cross-field balls although he done the basics – retaining the ball and playing short, simple, concise passes – to utmost efficiency.
Aaron Mooy – 8/10
It was another standout performance from Aaron Mooy this evening. The Australian was inventive in an advanced midfield role and it was his teasing delivery which led to Kyle Lafferty’s mistake and Daizen Maeda’s resultant opener 17 minutes in. Mooy was also unfortunate not to net himself tonight as he went close on a few occasions. This season, the 32 year old has been one of Celtic’s most underrated signings and he continues to be prove this point as 2022/23 unfolds.
Jota – 6/10
The Portuguese was rather muted in his performance. Jota was admittedly lively early doors, having some moments of flair and creativity however as the game went on, his levels of vivacity died down and he was subbed off on 73 minutes.
Daizen Maeda – 8/10
Daizen Maeda continued his hot streak of form into this evening’s match. The Japanese broke the deadlock early on as he forced home at the back post from a floated Mooy delivery to bag his third goal in four games. Moreover in the second half, Maeda was extremely unfortunate not to net his fourth in as many matches – Kyogo slipped him through and the wide man finished with utmost finesse and accuracy into the top corner however the striker was adjudged to be offside from an initial pass from McGregor. As well as contributing in front of goal, Maeda was efficient out wide and gave Killie defender Joe Wright a lot to think about with his electric pace and ball carrying.
Kyogo – 6/10
Kyogo was starved of any real service this evening. The Japanese striker had no notable opportunities to score in a muted display.
Substitutes
Ange Postecoglou waited a little later than usual to make his customary host of changes with Liel Abada, Matt O’Riley and Giorgos Giakoumakis not coming on until the 73rd minute. The trio replaced Jota, Hatate and Kyogo.
Neither Abada or O’Riley made a significant impact on the game however Giakoumakis’ contribution was weighty. The Greek striker wasn’t the greatest in his overall play however he was in the box in the right place at the right time to tap in from a David Turnbull effort. Whether or not his goal tonight will be a parting gift from Giakoumakis to Celtic remains to be seen although one wouldn’t bet against it.
The final two changes from the holders saw James Forrest and Turnbull replace Maeda and Mooy in stoppage time. The pair played only a few minutes although they managed to combine for Celtic’s second, the veteran winger playing through the midfielder whose shot rebounded off Sam Walker and to the grateful feet of Giakoumakis
As a result of tonight’s deserved victory, Celtic will take on either Rangers or Aberdeen in next month’s final at Hampden. The showpiece clash will take place on Sunday the 26th of Februaryhowever before that, the Hoops have a number of games to take care of in multiple competitions, starting with St. Mirren in the league on Wednesday night.
