Player ratings: Celtic 3-2 Malmo (H)

Two early goals from Griffiths and Bitton gave Celtic an early advantage in the game and could have gone three or four nil up in the first-half. A great finish from Berget on the volley reduced the deficit to one early in the second-half but Griffiths pounced on some sloppy defending. A corner in the dying seconds gives Malmo a lifeline and Celtic have to be weary heading into the second-leg on Tuesday.

Injury concerns late on for Lustig and Bitton dampened the night somewhat, with the full extent of those injuries still unclear.

Craig Gordon: 6/10

Made a good save mid-way through the first-half in what was Malmo’s first real chance at goal and got down well after a slight error in defence. Had little to nothing to do in the first-half but could do nothing about Berget’s goal in the second-half, which was perfectly volleyed into the corner. Commanded the box for the rest of the second-half.

Mikael Lustig: 6/10

Did well to close down and kept ex-Bhoy Berget on the left wing quiet in the first-half and cut out Malmo’s counter attacks. Failed to deal with the cross that led to Berget’s goal.

Virgil Van Dijk: 7/10

Apart from a small lapse defensively, which was more unfortunate than a mistake gave Malmo their first real chance at goal that was well saved by Gordon. Cleared everything else that came his way, winning the aerial battles and covered well for Boyata again at the back who looked suspect again.

Dedryck Boyata: 5/10

Made a big clearance when the ball came into the penalty area but also lost the ball and could have cost Celtic dearly only for Brown to cover and win back possession. Still looked shaky in defence and was covered by his teammates on a number of occasions on the night. Needs more time to grow into the role and can only do that if Deila keeps on playing him.

Emilio Izaguirre: 6/10

Linked well with Armstrong on the left wing and put some good crosses into the box. Defensively he didn’t have too much to worry about and when he was that split second behind, Malmo were wasteful around the edge of the area.

Scott Brown: 7/10

Showed again why he is the captain and crucial for Celtic in the middle of the park. Shut everything down and tracked runners well shrugging them off the ball with ease and always looked on top of proceedings going forward drawing players onto him and giving Celtic chances from set pieces.

Nir Bitton: 8/10

Headed home Celtic’s second from a corner out-jumping his man and leaving the keeper stranded in the Malmo goal. Looked prolific once again in the defensive midfield role alongside Brown. Commanded the position picking out passes for attacks and tracked runners down the line covering the full backs when they were attacking.

James Forrest: 8/10

Given a chance ahead of Gary Mackay-Steven tonight on the right side of midfield and impressed once again getting down the line well, attacking the left-back and getting crosses into the box. Also effective when cutting inside into space and driving at the Malmo defence but couldn’t find the final ball through. Hounded the Malmo defence all night winning back possession in attacking areas and broke forward time and time again giving Celtic an outlet.

Stefan Johansen: 7/10

Put in a great ball through to Griffiths who was all on his own inside the box for Celtic’s opening goal. Again for the Hoops second, Johansen assisted, this time from a corner and was the key man in a lot of Celtic’s attacks all night. Had a chance to make it three for Celtic but a Malmo defender blocked his shot. Pressed high up the pitch along with Griffiths and the other two more advanced midfielders and didn’t allow Malmo time on the ball.

Stuart Armstrong: 6/10

Made a great run from the wing and found Johansen in the middle for the first goal. Did the basics right and doing his defensive work well. Had a shot after cutting inside on the right foot and almost got on the end of a ball played through by Forrest however it was cut out by Malmo.

Leigh Griffiths: 9/10

An early goal gave Celtic a massive lift to start the game and settled any nerves there might have been for the inexperienced on the big stage. Warranted starting over Ciftci with that goal. Had other chances to score during the game and could have possibly put the tie to bed if he had converted to make it 3-0. Pounced on some lacklustre defending from Malmo and looped a header over Wiland in goal.

Subs:

Gary Mackay-Steven: 5/10

Replaced Armstrong with 30 minutes to go but featured very little in the game. Worked hard up and down the line but didn’t do too much else.

Nadir Ciftci: 4/10

Came on for Griffiths with just under 20 minutes to go and didn’t see much of the ball with Celtic using him to hold the ball up and get out of their half to elevate the late pressure applied by the away side.

Efe Ambrose: 3/10

Came on for Lustig with 10 minutes to go who left with a hamstring injury. Did ok when he came on and didn’t have too much to worry about as Celtic closed out the game.