Joe Hart: The Celtic goalkeeper had very little to do all afternoon but, such work as he did have, he carried out well enough. 6
Josip Juranovic: Beating Regan Charles-Cook for pace in the opening five minutes was no mean feat while, such was Celtic’s dominance in the first 45, it felt Juranovic was more often found in the right-wing role than at right-back. It was his cross that led to Giakoumakis’s second goal and his removal with 30 minutes remaining was reward for an accomplished hour of work. 8
Cameron Carter-Vickers: On days like this, concentration becomes as crucial for a Celtic centre-back as goal-saving tackles or headers. It’s to the credit of both Carter-Vickers and his defensive partner Carl Starfelt that neither were ever really forced into genuine evasive action while still actively participating in the team’s build-up play as they are required to do. 7
Carl Starfelt: Much of what you’ve just read could be copied and pasted in here. The Swede celebrated his return to the national setup with another solid performance alongside Carter-Vickers and Taylor. 7
Greg Taylor: Taylor helped set the tone throughout with his usual Duracell-powered endurance while on occasion tried to showcase a more adventurous side to his passing game too. The Scotland cap could even have found himself on the scoresheet after a wonderful burst into the box but saw his low shot saved by Staggies keeper Ross Laidlaw. 8
Callum McGregor: The man in the mask pulled the strings in much the same manner as he always does and was unlucky not to find the net when his drive was stopped by Laidlaw. A vintage display from the captain in which he seemingly popped up everywhere he was required while simultaneously never leaving his own area of the pitch exposed. 8
Reo Hatate: The 24-year-old retained his place in the starting XI after a half-time withdrawal against Dundee United and proved his manager correct with a return to form in the middle of the park full of energy and positive play. 8
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Tom Rogic: Taken out – and ultimately forced off – by a Kayne Ramsay tackle before his influence on the game could really be felt. 4
Jota: Back in the team on the right flank, it was during a foray on the opposite side that he made an almost immediate contribution with the deep back-post cross for Giakoumakis’s opening goal. Never a shrinking violet even when not enjoying his best day, it’s difficult to envision just how maddening it must be to encounter him in full flow, as he was for much of this one. Persistent, influential and elegant, a fully rested Jota after the international break is one scary prospect… for the rest of the league. 8
Giorgos Giakoumakis: Two more goals in the opening 20 minutes took the Greek’s tally to 11 for the season – the second, in particular, displayed his combination of poacher’s instinct and penalty-box awareness. Giakoumakis followed that up with a headed assist for Maeda’s goal and generally continued his good form with another goal – from the spot – in a confident and purposeful performance that places him front and centre in the story of the title run-in. 9
Daizen Maeda: He may only have been in Glasgow for a few months but already you know what you’re getting with Maeda. The Japan international allied his fast-becoming-legendary work-rate with no shortage of poise in his link-up play too, while perhaps the biggest compliment he can be paid from this game is that Giakoumakis would have been proud of his one-touch, instinctive finish to make it 3-0. 8
Substitutes
Matt O’Riley (for Rogic, 33): It was a good outing from the Denmark Under-21 midfielder after being forced into action early due to Rogic’s injury. O’Riley picked up the Australian’s creative mantle from the outset and showed once again why he has already become a valuable member of the side, even helping to win the penalty. 7
Liel Abada (for Jota, 61): A half-hour cameo allowed the Israeli some game-time after being forced to miss out against Dundee United after playing just 16 minutes against Livingston. Helped keep the intensity up. 5
Anthony Ralston (for Juranovic 61): A quiet afternoon for the right-back but as always he was a willing worker for the cause in his short time on the park. 5
David Turnbull (for Hatate 74): Given 15 minutes on his return to action following a lengthy injury lay-off and
Nir Bitton (for McGregor 74): Took the captain’s armband as well as McGregor’s place on the pitch and helped see out the game.
Subs not used: Scott Bain, James McCarthy, Yosuke Ideguchi, Mikey Johnston.
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