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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
James Cairney

Player ratings as Celtic fall short away to RB Leipzig in Champions League

Joe Hart 5

Could do nothing about the first or third goals. Was always alert to the danger when Leipzig were looking to get in behind the Celtic defence and the goalkeeper was quick off his line. Dreadful pass allowed Andre Silva to restore Leipzig’s lead.

Greg Taylor 6

Had a brilliant opportunity when a corner kick fell invitingly into the full-back’s path but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper from inside the box. Terrific block on Dominik Szoboszlai near the end of first half to deny the Hungarian.

Moritz Jenz 5

Never looked comfortable with Christopher Nkunku’s pace and was outstripped in a foot race with the striker a few times throughout the contest.

Stephen Welsh 6

Made his Champions League debut after injuries kept first-choice centre-back pairing Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt out the team and the defender can reflect on a job well done. Struggled with some of Leipzig’s intricate attacking play.

Josip Juranovic 6

Expended plenty of energy bombing up and down the right flank and showed his threat with a couple of dangerous-looking deliveries from deep. Limited Leipzig’s attacks down his side of the pitch and kept things relatively quiet in this area.

Reo Hatate 7

Another assured performance from the Japan internationalist, who has never looked out of place in his three outings in the Champions League thus far. Brilliant quick pass to release Kyogo and send the striker scarpering through on goal in the build-up to the equaliser.

Callum McGregor 5

A heavy touch while Celtic were camped outside the Leipzig box for a corner was punished in devastating fashion as the Germans burst forward on the counter-attack to open the scoring. Had to be brought off a few minutes later after sustaining an injury.

Matt O’Riley 5

An uncharacteristic off-night from the midfielder. Worked hard to support the team’s attacking moves but found himself struggling to get on the ball in dangerous areas.

Jota 6

Quiet during the opening 45 minutes before levelling the scores shortly after the restart as the Portuguese winger kept his cool to stroke the ball home.

Kyogo Furuhashi 6

Tested Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich with a powerful header at goal in the first half and forced a good save a few minutes later when played through for a one v one. Kept his composure to assist Jota and worked tirelessly as he led the line.

Daizen Maeda 5

Terrific cross into Kyogo midway through the first half but didn’t offer as much as he could in the final third. Made good runs to stretch the Leipzig defence but was often let down by his first touch.

Substitutes

Oliver Abildgaard (for McGregor 37) Looked decent in possession but was a little off the pace off the ball.

James Forrest (for Maeda 75) Brought on to stretch the game but struggled to make an impact.

Sead Haksabanovic (for O’Riley 75) As above.

Giorgos Giakoumakis (for Kyogo 82) Provided a physical presence up top for final 10 minutes.

James McCarthy (for Hatate 82) Gave Hatate a much-needed rest.

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