Celtic player ratings vs Hibs as stats experts cast verdict on major title blow and star out of Old Firm

Celtic have suffered a major title race blow against Hibs in their latest Premiership clash, losing 2-1 at Parkhead.

Felix Passlack put the away side ahead to spark angst at Parkhead before Benjamin Nygren levelled up before half-time. Auston Trusty was sent off in the second period and it proved a brutal blow with Kai Andrews’ late strike. The Hoops sit third and six points off leaders Hearts, with a game in hand, as Motherwell in fourth sit just four points behind with the same amount of games played. Next up in the league is Rangers at Ibrox

A 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart midweek had all but ended the club’s Europa League hopes but attention were firmly on domestic matters. They had scraped last-gasp winners in recent matches against Kilmarnock and Livingston in the league but this was a step up in quality against a side bound to be in the top six this spring, and boss Martin O’Neill had a huge selection call to make. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has been under fire this season and an error-strewn display in Europe has left some demanding change, and fans were quick to let the Dane know what they thought of his display against German opposition.

O’Neill stuck by him but early jitters when he played a pass straight to Hibs striker Owen Elding but luckily for him it wasn’t punished, as groans started early. It added to a mood of unrest that has clouded Celtic this season amid battling between club and board, with sections of the fanbase disrupting the Stuttgart clash with a protest. Interim chairman Brian Wilson called for calm pre match but the first sign of this game going south would no doubt spark anger from already disgruntled punters.

Benjamin Nygren brought some hope with an effort deflected just wide but that wouldn’t last long, as a whipped Nicky Cadden cross found the head of Passlack to nod home after some poor defending from the hosts. Yet to have a shot on target leading towards half-time, Raphael Sallinger in the Hibs goal had not been tested, but Nygren made sure he could do nothing about his flick past the shot-stopper before the interval.

News of Livingston going two up against Rangers would have buoyed the home crowd but soon their own worries of dropped points were mounting higher with Trusty’s red card, judged by VAR to have lashed out at Jamie McGrath before a home corner. That rules him out of Ibrox and leaves O’Neill needing to select either Dane Murray or inexperienced Benjamin Arthur at centre-back next week versus Rangers. It looked as if they’d get out with a point but Kai Andrews rifled home to leave title hopes in doubt. Stats experts WhoScored provided their verdict on the game. Here’s how the Celtic players rated.

Kasper Schmeichel - 5.9/10

Early error shhowed an experienced keeper low on confidence. Not a lot he can do for either goal.

Julian Araujo - 6.8/10

Good blocking early on but both goals come from moves down his side of the pitch.

Auston Trusty - 5.5/10

Has to shut down the cross from Cadden but doesn’t and then sent off. Another poor day.

Liam Scales - 6.8/10

Arguably gets caught under the cross that resulted in goal. Booked.

Kieran Tierney - 7.4/10

Great cross helps puts wheels in motion for leveller. The highest rated left-back.

Callum McGregor - 6/10

Command of midfield perhaps has to be a bit better and didn’t close Andrews down for winner. Booked.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6.5/10

A first start for the highly experienced midfielder. Still building up match sharpness for starting games after so long without a club.

Benjamin Nygren - 7.3/10

Where would Celtic be without him? Yes, his overall play leaves you wanting but goals are so vital.

Yang - 6.4/10

Put a header over the bar but not a productive day.

Tomas Cvancara - 6.6/10

Likes to play with his back to goal and does really well to flick on for Nygren’s leveller.

Sebastian Tounekti - 7/10

Passlack peels off him for the goal. Involved in some of the good attacking day but perhaps surprising to see him rated one of the best.

Subs used: Daizen Maeda, James Forrest, Marcelo Sarrachi, Benjamin Arthur