OPINION
Celtic will be frustrated with their inability to break FK Suduva down 1-1 draw in their Europa League qualifying clash on Thursday – but how did the players rate out in Lithuania?
The Hoops took the lead courtesy of an Olivier Ntcham strike in the opening three minutes, but found themselves pegged back after the home side took advantage of a defensive error from a free kick.
It leaves the tie finely poised when Celtic play host to the Lithuanians in a week’s time, with Celtic having a slender advantage as a result of their away goal.
This is Futbol has rated and slated each of the Hoops’ players from Thursday’s clash:
Goalkeeper & Defence
Craig Gordon – 7 – A shocking decision to get caught in no man’s land from a free kick saw Subravka net an easy header, and while some blame can be laid at the door of the defence, the shot stopper is the prime suspect. Redeemed himself with some really important saves in the second half.
Christian Gamboa – 5 – An unremarkable display, the experienced defender was rarely tested but was not much of a threat up the other end. Caught out of position 10 minutes into the second half to show his weakness and his passing was not up to standard.
Jozo Simunovic – 6 – Like the rest of the defence, culpable for the goal which saw Celtic lost their lead. Other than was relatively sound until injury forced him off just seven minutes after the break.
Kristoffer Ajer – 6 – Caught out at the back from the home side’s set piece but nearly made up for that with a dazzling piece of footwork in the box on the half hour mark. Showed why he is not a centre forward with a poor shot straight at the keeper.
Kieran Tierney – 7 – Rarely tested in defence he formed an impressive partnership with Mikey Johnston down the left flank in attack. The start of a budding young Scottish duo at Parkhead?
Midfield
Scott Brown – 6 – The enforcer was rarely troubled in the centre but found himself on the wrong side of the referee once or twice. Other than that little to report.
Olivier Ntcham – 7 – Got the Hoops off to the perfect start by getting himself in the right place at the right time after just two minutes. A dominant presence in the middle of the park, he strolled through the game with consummate ease.
James Forrest – 6 – Forced a quality save from the home side’s goalkeeper on 20 minutes after he showed good control on the ball. Controlled the game in the final third but could not find the cutting edge as Suduva piled back in numbers.
Forwards
Callum McGregor – 8 – Was a constant threat to Suduva as he bombed forward time and again. His movement off Demebele almost saw him net with a clever ball over the top, and it took a great save to stop him. Delivered threatening balls on a regular basis but there was no one there to meet them.
Mikey Johnston – 8 – What a start by the young winger, delivering a sumptuous ball which Ntcham could hardly miss. A delight to watch as he tormented the home side with his ball control and desire to attack.
Moussa Dembele – 7 – By no means a natural target man, the Frenchman held up the ball impressively and showed off his ability to support his fellow forwards with clever passes and movement. His finishing was not his usual best though.
Substitutes
Mikael Lustig (52′) – 5 – On for the injured Simunovic, had a quiet performance until he nearly gifted the home side a goal with a lazy back pass with less than 15 minutes to play. Not the finest substitute outing he will ever make.
Emilio Izaguirre (66′) – 6 – Swapped in for Gamboa with just under 25 minutes to play. Much more attack minded as the Hoops pushed for a winner, but was unable to contribute anything meaningful.
Leigh Griffiths (66′) – 5 – Took the place of Johnston to give the Hoops two centre forward options up top. Failed to impose his presence and when handed the responsibility of set pieces, did not deliver enough quality.