HEROES AND VILLAINS: YANG, MAEDA TAKE UP THE SLACK, AS REO HATATE GIVES IN TO ANGER
- By LIAM McBRIDE
- 44 minutes ago
- 4 min read
ACSOM's Liam McBride reflects on Celtic's heroics in Bologna, a night when both Yang and Daizen Maeda showed they are almost as crucial in defense are they are in attack.
Celtic secured a vital away point against Bologna on Thursday night with a tense 2-2 draw. An early Reo Hatate goal fired the Hoops in front but a subsequent red card meant that it was always going to be a tough shift at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Auston Trusty scored soon after, although even with a two-goal cushion heading into the break, a torturous second half would await.
The home side halved the deficit 58 minutes in, with a Thijs Dallinga header finding the back of the net. Just over ten minutes later, substitute Jonothan Rowe brought the hosts level. Celtic’s good work was unravelling and leaving Italy empty-handed was looking all too likely.
Yet, Martin O’Neill’s men found a way to hold on. After five and a half minutes of injury time, the whistle blew. The Hoops had picked up a crucial point on the road and a win against Utrecht next week should secure a place in the play-off rounds.
Kasper Schmeichel - 6
Due to the proximity of the header, you cannot blame him for Bologna’s first goal. However, he should be doing much better for Rowe’s equaliser. The shot is straight down the middle and very savable. The nature of being a goalkeeper means that is what will be remembered. However, outwith that, the Dane made some really important saves to keep the home side’s goal count down. After all, they had 36 shots, 9 of which were on target.
Colby Donovan - 7.5
The youngster thrived in the opening round draw against Red Star Belgrade and put in a similar performance against Bologna. There was nothing flashy about this performance; however, he stepped right onto the European stage and didn’t look at all out of place. He also provided some much needed pace and physicality and was instrumental in
Benjamin Dominguez having a quiet night.
Auston Trusty - 9
One of the American’s best ever performances in green and white. Solid in the air, last ditch blocks aplenty, it was a similar showing to the 0-0 draw at Atalanta last season. The stats make for excellent reading. He won six of seven ground duels, made three blocks and 17 clearances (one of which was off the line). He was also dribbled past just twice. A stalwart evening overall.
Liam Scales - 8
It was the type of game cut out for Liam Scales. Scrappy and backs to the wall, it is where the Irishman thrives. As mentioned, there were many elements similar to the Atalanta game last season. As a centre-back partnership, they tracked down every ball and were monumental in Celtic leaving with a point to show.
Kieran Tierney - 7.5
Renowned for his attacking nature, it was the defensive work that caught the eye last night. Similarly to his fellow youth product at right back, his pace and physicality were important in limiting Bologna’s success. In the first half at times, he was caught out of position and left the left hand side exposed. However, once the Bhoys went down to ten men, his one-on-one defending was first class, limiting Il Rossoblù to crosses from out wide.
Callum McGregor- 7.5
At times on the European stage, his lack of defensive awareness can be exploited. Yet, last night, it was a department he thrived in. In particular, a first half last ditch tackle stopped what was a near certain goal. However, his in possession play was also valuable. Domestically at times, it can feel pedestrian, although at Europa League level it can settle Celtic with some much needed in-possession stability.
Arne Engels - 7
It’s the sort of game that the Belgian excels in. Taking a break from the corner duties, he made first contact from Tierney’s delivery for Trusty’s strike. He also played a wonderful pass through to Johnny Kenny in the closing minutes, but the Irishman was unable to capitalize. His energy and closing down were synonymous with his teammates and so vital in holding on.
Reo Hatate- 4
A moment of stupidity will unfortunately define what was a decent performance until a petulant second yellow card in the 34th minute. His pressing early on was effective, as he and Maeda formed a front two, and this allowed him to be in the position to score early. Apart from when he received one hospital pass from Schmeichel, his ball control and distribution were useful. However, already on a booking, whatever you think of the end decision, a player of his experience should never have given referee Vasilis Fotias a decision to make in the first place.
Yang - 7
While his attacking play has reached a new level this season, Yang’s defensive development cannot be ignored. His pressing and tracking back prove so crucial in these sorts of games.
It’s been a true turnaround story from the 23-year-old who was set for an exit to Birmingham.
Daizen Maeda - 8
Some have questioned whether his workrate has matched that of previous seasons, if a potential move to Wolfsburg has turned his head. Whatever has happened so far this season, Europa League Matchday 7 was not reflective of that. Maeda looked like his former self, running his socks off from minute one till ninety. Despite playing striker, it was largely his defensive efforts that earned him the plaudits, playing left back of a 6 for large periods in the second half.
Sebastian Tounetki - 6.5
The Tunisian was sacrificed for Benjamin Nygren as Celtic changed shape in the second half. Apart from one moment of trying to dribble and losing the ball in his own penalty area, Tounetki was largely comfortable on the ball. He didn’t get in the final third as much as he would have liked, but was able to take it in tight areas on the left hand side and move the ball sharply. He is another man who looks so much more confident under O’Neill’s guidance.
Next up is a trip to Tynecastle. Six points behind Derek McInnes' s Hearts, it is the most important game of the season to date. Pick up three points and momentum begins to shift.