Player ratings: Celtic 1-0 Partick Thistle (H)
- •
- 1,426 reads
- •
- 11,061 views
- •
- 5 min read
Leigh Griffiths was the hero as he scored in the 89th minute to give 10-man Celtic a massive win after a poor performance.
The opening 45 minutes were fairly dull as both sides created chances but none were clear-cut.
Callum McGregor had the best chance as he fired his shot just wide of the post after a good run from Stefan Johansen from midfield.
Kris Commons returned after missing the trip to Hearts with an ankle injury and had a shot inside the area blocked but looked off the pace of the game.
Nadir Ciftci had one effort on goal and was replaced at half-time by Leigh Griffiths who made an instant impact for Celtic.
His effort from the edge of the box looked destined for the bottom left corner but was blocked by a Partick Thistle defender.
Celtic were put on the back foot after Nir Bitton’s sending off for a second yellow card.
Griffiths and Forrest had chances to score but were all matched by the Thistle ‘keeper until the final minute as Griffiths volleyed home in the final minute.
Craig Gordon 7/10
Largely untested in the first half but his distribution was poor and slow at times. Good save to deny Doolan and Thistle the opening goal of the game. Made several more saves to deny the away side from scoring.
Mikael Lustig 6/10
Got forward well down the right wing in the opening half hour and got several dangerous crosses into the box. Brilliant defensive tackle early in the second half to prevent a good chance.
Efe Ambrose 6/10
Sloppy at times in defence and gave the ball away needlessly. Did well in the air to win the ball and clear any threats.
Jozo Simunovic 6/10
Beaten to the ball a few times in the air in the opening half. Played a great through ball to Ciftci but the striker was just offside.
Kieran Tierney 6/10
Defended well to prevent the ball getting into a dangerous area inside the box and also got forward well. Cleared the ball off the line to prevent a certain goal.
Nir Bitton 4/10
Didn’t impose his will on the game early on and was over run in midfield. Put in a needless challenge and was sent off.
Stefan Johansen 6/10
Drove forward with pace and created the best chance of the game after 21 minutes after finding McGregor on the wing. Was unfortunate that no one could get on the end of his dangerous cross just before the end of the half.
Kris Commons 5/10
Got into dangerous areas but looked off the pace of the game which isn’t surprising as he is just coming back from an ankle injury.
Tom Rogic 5/10
Decent effort after running across from the right wing and firing a shot from 20 yards but didn’t find himself on the ball in good attacking areas too often.
Callum McGregor 5/10
Did well down the left wing and had the best chance of the game which he fired just wide from 20 yards. Not for the first time that he faded from the game and didn’t have any impact in the second half.
Nadir Ciftci 3/10
Had one effort on goal early on which was blocked and struggled to get into the game. Replaced at half-time by Leigh Griffiths.
Leigh Griffiths 7/10
Replaced Ciftci at half time who couldn’t get the service required in the opening half. He made an immediate impact and his shot from the edge of the box looked to be going in but was blocked by a Thistle defender. Had another good shot saved by the Thistle keeper but came up trumps in the final minute of the game.
James Forrest 5/10
Replaced Tom Rogic with just under 30 minutes remaining in the game to bring more pace and directness to Celtic’s attack. Looked bright on teh left wing and had a shot well saved from the edge of the area.
Gary Mackay-Steven N/A
Came on for Kris Commons in the final few minutes to waste time and see out the win.
Here's more you might like
FSG – the good and the questionable
Cenk Tosun linked with CSKA Moscow move
Liverpool fans unimpressed with Jon Moss’ appointment for West Ham fixture
Dean Smith suggests John McGinn could have a fight for his starting place
Sam Allardyce delivers worrying transfer message
