Celtic player ratings vs FC Midtjylland as humbling Europa League wake-up call leads to further 'sack the board' demands
Here’s how we rated the rated the Celtic starting XI and subs in the Midtjylland defeat.
Celtic were defeated 3-1 by Midtjylland in their fourth of eight Europa League first round fixtures.
The Hoops hardly got out of their own half in the early stages and were dominated by Midtjylland. Martin Erlic, Mikel Gogorza and Franculino Dju put the hosts three goals to the good in a seven minute first half onslaught. A late Reo Hatate penalty made the scoreline slightly better reading for Hoops fans in a match where they only had five shots compared to Midtjylland’s 23.
In what was Martin O’Neill’s first European game in the Hoops dugout since a goalless draw against AC Milan over 20 years ago, he was also hoping for a defensively resolute performance at the MCH Arena, against a Midtjylland side who sit top of the League Phase table. It was the home side who started in the ascendancy with Dario Osorio looking dangerous on the right hand side but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Sunday’s Man of the Match, Auston Trusty.
His centre-back partner, Liam Scales was walking on eggshells all evening after he was booked after 13 minutes for a foul on Cho Gue-sung. The Korean striker was involved again when Dju’s pass found him after a clever Philip Billing dummy but Kasper Schmeichel was equal to his effort. Shortly after, Cho forced yet another save from the Danish stopper, this time from a long rang-effort.
After 30 minutes of one-way traffic, the floodgates opened on the half hour mark. Erlic broke the deadlock for the hosts when he headed home a Gogorza cross. Around 98 seconds later, the assister scored himself after dribbling past Anthony Ralston and Arne Engels to cut in on his right hand side. He guided the ball past Schmeichel to double Midtjylland’s lead.
The danger man Dju, then made it three nil as the home side started to threaten cricket score territory. The Guinea-Bissau wonder-kid found himself in acres of space just inside the box and slotted the ball into the corner. O’Neill’s side had given themselves a mountain to climb as the referee blew for half time.
Unsurprisngly, the Celtic boss made some half time changes, bringing on Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand for some extra energy up front as James Forrest and Johnny Kenny made way. The personnel may have switched but the story of the match didn’t as substitutes Junior Brumado and Denil Castillo should’ve added to the Midtjylland lead. The home side gave some of their big hitters a rest knowing they were in complete control of proceedings.
As cries of ‘sack the board’ came from the away support, Valdemar Byskov had a shot saved by Schmeichel as every Midtjylland player tried to get in on the action. The Hoops had their first half-chance of the game when Ralston found Osmand with a cross, but the Welshman hit the ball down Elias Rafn Olafsson’s throat in the Midtjylland goal.
Osmand then won a penalty having being taken out by Erlic in the box. Olafsson got a hand to Hatate’s penalty but not enough to keep it out the back of the net. Osmand was a breath of fresh air in a struggling Celtic side but to add insult to injury for Hoops fans, he was stretchered off holding his hamstring with five minutes to go.
After victories against Rangers and Falkirk it appeared Martin O’Neill could do no wrong as Hoops boss, but this Europa League tie may have given him a reality check. Here’s how we rated the Celtic starting XI and subs against Midtjylland:
Kasper Schmeichel - 7/10
Superb couple of saves from Cho shots early on. Nothing he could do for any of the goals and could’ve been more if it weren’t for him. Made nine saves which speaks volumes.
Anthony Ralston - 4/10
Should’ve stopped the cross for the Midtjylland opener and could’ve done more to stop the second. A night to forget for the full-back.
Auston Trusty - 6/10
Vital block in the first 10 minutes from Osorio’s shot. Best of a bad bunch in the Celtic defence.
Liam Scales - 4/10
Walking a tightrope all game due to his early caution. Struggled to cope with the pace of Midtjylland’s attack.
Kieran Tierney - 5/10
Couldn’t deal with Osorio and still doesn’t look himself. With Tounekti as the out ball he was exposed way too often.
Callum McGregor - 5/10
Dragged his team to victory on Sunday but couldn’t keep the ball tonight. A frustrating evening for the skipper.
Arne Engels - 4/10
Lazy challenge for the Midtjylland second. Didn’t get his foot on the ball and control the game like he did against Rangers. Hooked for Bernardo late on but could’ve been earlier.
Benjamin Nygren - 5/10
Extremely quiet for a man who’s meant to bridge the gap between defence and attack. Hooked for Hatate in the 69th minute.
James Forrest - 5/10
A surprise starter who struggled to get involved in the game. Hooked for Maeda at half time who perhaps should’ve started ahead of him.
Sebastian Tounekti - 6/10
The out ball for Celtic in a game where they were largely under the cosh. Could’ve got closer to Dju for the third.
Johnny Kenny - 4/10
Didn’t touch the ball in the opposition box which sums up the team’s performance. A lack of service didn’t help but he was non-existent nonetheless.
Daizen Maeda - 6/10
Brought on for Forrest to inject a bit of energy in the attack, but spent most of his time defending. Maybe should’ve started.
Callum Osmand - 6/10
Horrible circumstances to be brought on in for your European debut but looked sharp once again. Won a penalty for his team and is now knocking on the door to be first choice striker. Hopefully the injury isn’t as serious as it looks.
Reo Hatate - 6/10
In a match where they needed legs perhaps he should’ve started. Had a heart in mouth moment for the penalty when Olafsson got a hand to it.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha - 5/10
Nearly got on the end of a Maeda cross but didn’t have much time to make an impact.
Paulo Bernardo - 5/10
Will be happy to be back in the side but wasn’t able to affect the game. Got a yellow for a high foot on Kevin Mbabu.