Celtic player ratings vs St Mirren as stats experts rank heroes and flops from gritty win amid title race
Here’s how the Celtic players rated in their match with St Mirren in the Premiership.
Celtic achieved a 1-0 against St Mirren in their latest Premiership clash as they kept pace in the title race.
An Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was all that was needed to down the Buddies, who they will take on again in a Scottish Cup semi-final. After starting the day three points behind league leaders Hearts, who eventually won 3-1 against Motherwell, the Hoops remain within shooting distance of the Jambos heading into the post-split games. Victory, despite the laboured performance, moves them ahead of Rangers ahead of their match at Falkirk on Sunday.
Defeating Dundee at Dens Park last time out, the Hoops had injury blows pre-match with Colby Donovan out with injury and fellow right-back Julian Araujo ruled out for the remainder of the season. They did have a boost in the form of midfielder Arne Engels’ return from injury that has left him out for two months but it was their winter recruit who came to cover him who secured three points.
Amid criticisms of his time so far, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 15th minute effort was enough to get past a St Mirren side who have much improved under interim head coach Craig McLeish, and will hope to spring a surprise in Mount Florida. Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said post-match: "Naturally delighted to win the game, that's the most important thing. The energy levels concern me a bit, we didn't seem to have that. For long periods in the second half, St Mirren were in control. However, we dug in and defended strongly to keep the clean sheet."
Here’s how stats experts WhoScored viewed the performances of the defending league champions.
Viljami Sinisalo - 7/10
New number one continued in his role. No goals conceded, job done.
Anthony Ralston - 7/10
Scotland international came in for Donovan. Helped keep a clean sheet
Auston Trusty - 7.2/10
Highest-rated in the backline in what was an accomplished performance.
Liam Scales - 7.1/10
Another soild day for the Irishman.
Kieran Tierney - 7/10
Perhaps not as effective in attack but did defensive part of game well.
Callum McGregor - 6.9/10
Skipper anchored the midfield as usual but fell just short of a seven, replaced during the game.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7.5/10
Experienced midfielder continued to play despite some criticisms of his match sharpness. Goal will do him world of good and rated as the top performer.
Benjamin Nygren - 7.1/10
Looked to continue providing a goalscoring threat from midfield but wasn’t quite there. Still rated highly in terms of peers around him though.
Yang - 6.5/10
Not a great day for attacking players as the winger ranked amongst the lowest on show.
Tomas Cvancara - 6.5/10
Another chance to lead the line despite missed chances at Dundee, but couldn’t find way to goal.
Daizen Maeda - 6.6/10
Marginally higher than the others in the traditional front three but not by much.
Subs used: Luke McCowan, Arne Engels, Kelechi Iheanacho, Reo Hatate