Celtic Struggle in Play-off First Leg
- By LIAM McBRIDE
- Aug 21
- 3 min read
ACSOM's Liam McBride provides a player by player analysis of last night's game against Kairat Almaty
Celtic have it all to do to ensure Champions League football returns to the East End of Glasgow for the fourth consecutive season.
In a goalless draw, which led to “Sack the Board” chants from parts of the support, the pressure is on the hierarchy to improve the squad situation ahead of next week’s mammoth trip to Kazakhstan. Here is how they faired individually last night:
Celtic Player Ratings:
Kasper Schmeichel - 8
The Dane had a busier night than he and many of the supporters may have expected. While he was rarely truly under pressure from any of the visitors' opportunities, he made a collection of smart saves to ensure that the Bhoys don’t travel abroad with a deficit next week.
Alistair Johnson - 6
A tough one to judge, after being stretchered off deep into the first half. He dealt reasonably well defensively with his opposite number, Dastan Satpeav, in the opening stages. In possession, he often found himself in an inverted role, but was unable to make much of an impact doing so.
Cameron Carter-Vickers - 6
The American swept up the balls over the top rather frequently in the first half. With less to do after the break, a lapse in concentration gave Edmilson a chance to lob Schmeichel, with the Brazilian coming oh so close.
Liam Scales - 6
In the centre-back portion of the game, he was solid enough defensively. Although he continually passed either to the feet of Carter-Vickers, rather than a slight bit in front, which harmed the pace of play. Almaty clearly set up in a way that left the Irishman as the spare man, meaning that he should have run into the space more and committed. A few times, he came close with his head from corners, but it wasn’t to be.
Kieran Tierney - 7
In a first half so devoid of any creative impetus, it was Kieran Tierney who looked to be the most positive. While he wasn’t at his brilliant best, he still showed a level of intensity and commitment that had the visitors on red alert.
Callum McGregor - 5.5
He cut a frustrated figure during and after the game. On the park, he continually pointed at his teammates to play further forward with more pace and intensity. Out of possession, Celtic looked a bit loose, particularly when they lost the ball, and McGregor was caught out of position in midfield one too many times, and had to take a booking for it in the first half. Towards the end of the second half, his passing was at times too conservative with wide players available in space, and instead opting to do a short pass to Ralston or Trusty.
Reo Hatate - 5.5
He was unable to find himself in the areas that make him so dangerous at his peak. In the few moments that opened up in the second half, he was able to take the ball on the turn in the left half space and create space. Yet, like the rest, he seldom pulled the trigger and instead chose the safer option of a sideways pass.
Benjamin Nygren - 5.5
The Swede failed to get involved in the game, which for your most advanced midfielder is a frustrating picture. A piece of quick dribbling set him free towards the end of the first half, but he failed to pull the trigger and instead opted for a sideways pass on the edge of the box. He also played a classy one-touch pass through to Maeda in the opening half, but his influence ultimately waned.
James Forrest - 5
On his first European start since 2023/24, Forrest failed to make an impact on the game, as did the rest of the frontline. Truly, there is little to comment on. The times that he got the ball in wide areas, he never committed and instead looked for the inside option or a backwards pass.
Adam Idah - 4.5
For the first half hour or so, Idah barely touched the ball. A few instructions from Rodgers saw him drop deeper on occasion and hold up the ball successfully, but ultimately play it back to where it came from. A lack of movement behind the defensive line also proved problematic.
Daizen Maeda - 5
He is yet to hit the heights of last season. At times, he got in behind but showed a lack of composure, and it was a night to forget on the crossing front. Moved to striker, Celtic looked a better outfit overall before reverting to the left at the welcoming of Shin Yamada.
