Champions League: Celtic Player Ratings Against Brugge
Celtic's Champions League campaign took another turn against Club Brugge, a match that saw a mixed bag of performances from Ange Postecoglou's men. While the overall result might not have been what the Hoops faithful hoped for, individual displays provided plenty of talking points. Let's delve into a detailed breakdown of the Celtic player ratings against Brugge.
Goalkeeper
Joe Hart (6/10): Hart had a relatively quiet night, not facing a barrage of shots. While he couldn't prevent the goals, he made a couple of important saves to keep the scoreline from being more embarrassing. His distribution, however, could have been sharper, contributing to some midfield struggles.
Defenders
Anthony Ralston (6.5/10): Ralston showed his usual energy and commitment down the right flank. He offered a consistent attacking threat and delivered some dangerous crosses. Defensively, he was mostly solid, though he could have been tighter on a couple of occasions.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (7/10): Carter-Vickers was arguably Celtic's best defender. His leadership and commanding presence at the back were crucial in mitigating Brugge's attacking threat. He won numerous aerial duels and made crucial interceptions. A rock at the heart of the defense.
Carl Starfelt (6/10): Starfelt had a mixed performance. While he made some important clearances, he also looked shaky at times and was caught out of position on a few occasions leading to Brugge chances. Needs to maintain consistency.
Greg Taylor (6.5/10): Taylor provided good support down the left, but his attacking contributions were less impactful than Ralston's. Defensively, he was largely reliable, showcasing his strength and tactical awareness.
Midfielders
Callum McGregor (7/10): McGregor, as always, was the heartbeat of Celtic's midfield. His tireless work rate and ability to dictate the tempo were evident. He was involved in most attacking moves and showed great leadership.
Matt O'Riley (6.5/10): O'Riley showed flashes of brilliance, demonstrating his technical skill and vision. He created some promising chances but lacked the final product at times. His performance was hampered by Brugge's midfield press.
Reo Hatate (6/10): Hatate’s energy was present, but his influence on the game was somewhat limited. He struggled to find his usual rhythm and his passing accuracy could have been better.
Forwards
Liel Abada (6/10): Abada worked tirelessly, making intelligent runs and causing problems for the Brugge defense. However, he lacked the cutting edge in front of goal, missing a couple of crucial chances.
Kyogo Furuhashi (6.5/10): Kyogo's work rate and movement were impressive, but he was starved of service at times. He remains a constant threat but needs better supply to truly shine.
Daizen Maeda (5.5/10): Maeda struggled to make a significant impact on the game. His movement was less effective than usual, and he lacked the cutting edge to trouble the Brugge keeper.
Substitutes
Several substitutes were introduced, but their impact on the game wasn't significant enough to warrant individual ratings.
Overall Performance
Celtic's performance against Brugge was a mixed bag. While individual players displayed moments of brilliance, the overall team cohesion and clinical finishing were lacking. The team needs to improve its ability to break down stubborn defenses and create more clear-cut chances in future Champions League encounters. The result highlights areas where improvement is necessary to compete at the highest level of European football. The players' individual ratings reflect the inconsistencies present throughout the match.