Celtic stormed to a 6-1 win over Hibernian on Saturday as the Hoops moved five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership for the evening.
A hat-trick from James Forrest, brace courtesy of Giorgos Giakoumakis and late strike thanks to Daizen Maeda was sufficient enough for Ange Postecoglou’s side to secure the three points.
Here’s how the players rated.
Joe Hart – 6/10
Hibernian did come into the game late on however Joe Hart remained relatively untroubled in the Celtic goal throughout the 90.
Anthony Ralston – 7/10
As the match went on, Anthony Ralston got more and more involved. The Scot threaded a lovely ball in behind the Hibernian defence for Liel Abada who, in turn, set up Giorgos Giakoumakis for the Greek’s second. Moreover, Ralston remained strong in the tackle in what was another solid display from the dependable right back.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 7/10
At the heart of the Celtic defence, Cameron Carter-Vickers was stout and assured. The American dealt with the threat posed by the visitors’ attackers amply and in one particular instance in the second half, kept up adequately with the speedy Martin Boyle as the Australian looked to counter attack.
Moritz Jenz – 6/10
The German’s passing was quick and effective with Moritz Jenz failing to do much wrong in the Celtic backline in a passable display.
Alexandro Bernabei – 8/10
Alexandro Bernabei started for Celtic in the league for the second game running and stood out once more. The Argentine was characteristically zestful defensively whilst also getting up and down the left flank with ease. In the first half, the 22 year old linked well with Sead Haksabanovic and put it on a plate for Giakoumakis for the striker’s first with a lovely cross.
Matt O’Riley – 6/10
Rather surprisingly, it was Matt O’Riley who took the deepest role in the Celtic midfield today. As has always been the case when he’s been deployed in the holding role, the Dane latched on to a number of loose balls although it is very hard to replicate the energetic vivacity Callum McGregor brings in the six with O’Riley being his own type of player.
Reo Hatate – 5/10
The Japanese had quite a few loose passes in midfield and looked as though he was slightly rushing at times. Hatate didn’t do much going forward before being brought off with 20 to play.
Aaron Mooy – 8/10
Today was arguably Aaron Mooy’s finest display in a Celtic shirt. The Australian zipped the ball about the park effortlessly, making some passes which were greatly pleasing on the eye. Mooy played rather advanced in the Hoops’ engine room and significantly contributed to two Celtic goals, firstly to play in James Forrest for his hat-trick and secondly to lift over the Hibs defence for Daizen Maeda to volley home with a minute to go.
Sead Haksabanovic – 7/10
One feels Ange Postecoglou was quite harsh to hook Sead Haksabanovic at half time with the Montenegrin being lively down the left hand side in the first 45. Haksabanovic disclosed some of his eye-catching ball-carrying ability and it was his beautifully floated cross which found James Forrest at the back post for Celtic’s opener.
James Forrest – 9/10
Celtic’s ‘Homegrown Hero’ had his best performance in a long, long while this afternoon. James Forrest notched a hat-trick to take his Hoops goal tally to 100 in a performance not many would have anticipated. Opening the scoring nine minutes in, Forrest delightfully finished with the side of his foot, on the volley, into the bottom corner and soon had a second 15 minutes later. After a few ricochets on the edge of the box, Forrest’s lashed shot was too hot to handle for David Marshall who fumbled into the net. At this point, a Forrest trilogy of goals seemed inevitable and it would eventually come just before the hour as he took a touch to set himself and another to arrow into the far corner. Although many questioned the decision from Ange Postecoglou to hand Forrest a new deal a few months ago, the 31 year old is an experienced head in a relatively young squad and going by his past few performances, it looks as though Forrest is adapting his game to suit his change in attributes due to age.
Giorgos Giakoumakis – 8/10
Clinical in the Celtic attack, Giorgos Giakoumakis bagged an efficient brace to take his Scottish Premiership goal tally to five for the season. The Greek arrived in the box just in time to instinctively finish from a low Alexandro Bernabei cross for his first and for his second, Giakoumakis would score, first-time, from the edge of the area, via the post. Going forward, the 27 year old will continue to relish his battle with Kyogo Furuhashi for the number nine role in the Celtic team with his two goals today not doing him any harm in said tussle.
Substitutes
Daizen Maeda came on for Sead Haksabanovic on the left wing and netted late on with an accurate volley into David Marshall’s bottom corner. Along with his goal, the Japanese showed pace and bite out wide yet wasn’t astounding.
Then with 65 minutes played, Oliver Abildgaard and Liel Abada came on for Matt O’Riley and hat-trick hero James Forrest. The Dane was tough in the tackle with Abada showing directness on the right wing, putting it on a plate for Giorgos Giakoumakis for his second.
Kyogo came on with 20 to go and James McCarthy was also introduced when there was 14 left on the clock. The pair didn’t have many opportunities to affect the game, though.
Celtic were utterly ruthless in front of goal in a win which was full of positives for Ange Postecoglou.
Whether it be fringe players coming in and impressing or veterans having vintage performances, the Australian will be hugely satisfied this evening.
Now looking ahead, Motherwell lie in wait for the Bhoys in the league cup with a 6.15pm kick off pencilled in at Fir Park on Wednesday evening.
