Player Ratings; Celtic Star Returns to Form Against Livingston

Celtic took on Livingston on a wet Wednesday evening in Glasgow. The visitors, who would have aimed to sit and frustrate the Hoops, were firmly undone by three first-half goals. 

Greg Taylor opened the scoring 29 minutes in before Japanese duo Daizen Maeda and Kyogo got Celtic’s second and third, respectively, before the break. 

Here’s how the players rated. 

Joe Hart – 6/10

Joe Hart had next to nothing to do in goal for Celtic this evening. Nevertheless, the Englishman picked up yet another clean sheet. 

Alistair Johnston – 7/10

The Canadian was a composed figure in attack for Celtic when playing in and around the opposition box. In defence, the Canadian remained stout as ever in yet another solid display which displayed why he is an ample replacement for Josip Juranovic. 

Cameron Carter-Vickers – 6/10

Cameron Carter-Vickers didn’t put a foot wrong at centre half this evening. The American was dominant aerially when Livi continually played long whilst also showing a wealth of calmness on the ball. 

Carl Starfelt – 7/10

In another consistent performance, Carl Starfelt played amicably. Defensively, the 27-year-old was relatively unchallenged, although in terms of build-up play, was accurate and up to the mark. 

Greg Taylor – 8/10

Scorer of tonight’s opening goal, Greg Taylor was tremendous. The Scotland international rattled home into the far corner from close range early on to make it 1-0 Celtic. Following this, Taylor continued to roam forward down the left, effectively linking up with Daizen Maeda at times yet going back, similarly to all of his defensive teammates, the 25-year-old didn’t have much to do. Take nothing away from his performance, though, as the left-back was a standout. 

Callum McGregor – 7/10

As ever, Callum McGregor continually kept play ticking over in Celtic’s midfield. His energy and vivacity are irreplaceable and unmatched in Scotland, traits he clearly put on display tonight. The captain leads by example despite some of his contributions undoubtedly doing under the radar. 

Reo Hatate – 7/10

The Japanese started in midfield for the 23rd match running tonight. In the game, Hatate played some sublime passes to open up the Livi defence and it was he who played in Taylor for the goal that broke the deadlock, registering his sixth assist of the season thus far. 

Matt O’Riley – 7/10

Coming back into the starting eleven, Matt O’Riley was ever present at times in attack for Celtic when on the pitch. The Dane constantly drifted between the lines and with a wonderful lobbed pass from inside his own half, O’Riley set Kyogo free to net Celtic’s third of the game. 

Jota – 6/10

On the right, the Portuguese were lively and never afraid to run at his man. Jota didn’t have many chances to score, although he remained energetic throughout his 63 minutes on the pitch. 

Daizen Maeda – 8/10

The electric winger replaced Liel Abada in the Celtic lineup tonight and contributed significantly. Maeda got to the bye line and crossed into the box on a number of occasions, and 33 minutes in, the Japanese was in the right place at the right time to deflect home and score his side’s second of the evening. This campaign and particularly after the World Cup, the 25-year-old has drastically come on and now has 11 goal contributions in the league in 2022/23. 

Kyogo – 8/10

Starting up front, Kyogo added yet another goal to his ever-growing tally this evening. On the break, the Japanese drove towards goal from the halfway line and got past Jack Fitzwater before cooly slotting into the bottom corner for his eighteenth league goal of the season. As well as bagging himself, the 28-year-old made countless off-the-ball runs to create space and opportunities for his teammates before being replaced by new signing Oh with 15 to go. 

Substitutes 

Ange Postecoglou utilised all five substitutes available to him this evening. Firstly, Matt O’Riley and Jota were replaced by Aaron Mooy and Liel Abada, respectively, with 25 to go. The Australian did what he always does in midfield, keeping it simple and functional; meanwhile, Abada was always an out-ball on the right with his driving pace and dribbling ability. 

Then with 15 to go, Kyogo and Hatate came off for Oh and Turnbull. The latter didn’t seem to put a foot wrong in midfield, whilst Oh, who was making his home debut, looked a physical presence up top, being unfortunate not to latch on to a few crosses. 

Celtic’s final change came in the 85th minute as captain Callum McGregor made way for Tomoki Iwata, although the 2022 J. League MVP had little opportunity to affect the game. 

After tonight’s victory, which preserved Celtic’s nine-point lead at the top of the table, the Hoops head to Perth on Sunday. The clash at McDiarmid Park will kick if at noon as Ange Postecoglou looks to make it seven wins and seven clean sheets on the bounce.