Scott Bain: The goalkeeper looked a more assured presence between the sticks – and sometimes well beyond them, such was Celtic’s ball dominance for most of the match. Bain could do little about the opening goal, given his defence should have dealt with it at least twice before the ball fell to Gary Mackay-Steven, and saved well from John Souttar in the 78th minute. There are some questions, however, about his positioning for Souttar’s winner. 6
Anthony Ralston: What a few days for the right-back. In the first half, everything that makes it obvious he is not the long-term answer in the position was on show: hesitant attacking play, ineffective passing and unconvincing defending. Then the teams switched ends, Ralston found himself 25 yards from goal, played a neat one-two with Odsonne Edouard and slalomed his way past two Hearts defenders before smashing in the equaliser with his weaker foot. Football, eh? 6
Nir Bitton: Dealt well with a difficult opponent in Liam Boyce with a composed display. On several occasions he took responsibility for directing the players in front of him into more adequate passing positions and generally went about things in a manner that I’m sure will see him garner regular minutes under Postecoglou. On the other hand, he was surely outfoxed by John Souttar for the winner and cramped up after just 70 minutes. 6
Carl Starfelt: The debutant had two chances to snuff out the attack that led to the opening goal but couldn’t do so. He did grow into the game after that, though, and showed both strength (while outmuscling Ginnelly) and good defensive instincts (when rampaging across Boyce to cut out a potentially dangerous through ball) within the first half-hour. Given he was rushed into the line-up having never been on a pitch with any of his new team-mates, Starfelt largely acquitted himself well. You can tell playing the ball out is not his favourite thing in the world, which is something he will have to get used to pretty quickly to thrive in Postecoglou’s system. Denied a goal at the death by a good save from Craig Gordon. 6
Greg Taylor: Got forward as often as he could and that willingness to go tearing into the final third set up the first chance of the match, which David Turnbull sclaffed wide. He also found Callum McGregor with a smashing dinked pass in the 15th minute which the captain failed to capitalise on. Defensively, Josh Ginnelly was a persistent threat and Taylor did find it tricky to contain him at times as Hearts targeted his flank with long balls. After the break he continued trying to penetrate regularly and would – but for a seemingly incorrect offside call – have bagged an assist with a drilled cross for Liel Abada. 6
Ismaila Soro: You get the sense Soro will polarise the fanbase this season. He loves a tackle, but hasn’t quite learned when not to commit himself to one yet. He looks a dangerous counterpresser, but often seems to choose an inconvenient time to surge forward. His first touch and body position when receiving the ball also need work but, for all that, he doesn’t hide and didn’t tonight. The constituent parts of a good pivot are definitely there; it is up to Postecoglou and his staff to ensure they’re fused together properly. 6
Callum McGregor: Whether it’s in the heart of midfield or – as has been sighted more and more recently – in wider areas, McGregor just oozes composure. The captain is always at his best in the thick of the action but, as a byproduct of Postecoglou’s system, he now spends considerable time elsewhere. This was not his best game but that wasn’t from lack of effort or quality. 6
Liel Abada: Thought he might struggle in the tight confines of Tynecastle but he showed a shrewdness in adapting his game. His pace will frighten many a defender in the Premiership this campaign and, although his end product wasn’t totally on show this time, Abada’s positive start to life in the hoops continued with a confident performance before being substituted with 11 minutes left. 6
David Turnbull: Good delivery from set-pieces as ever and seemed to be more involved in the final third than recent matches. It may have been in glimpses, but fans will be hoping this signifies the end of his slow start to life under Postecoglou. Taken off with 11 minutes left. 6
James Forrest: For the second time in a week, the key ball fell to Forrest. This time he had been on the field for the whole game and so not scoring cannot be pinned on a lack of sharpness. That said, he did force Craig Gordon into an impressive and timely save. Otherwise, he looks like he is getting back to match fitness… slowly. A flash of brilliance at the start of the second half aside, the winger got very little joy against Michael Smith and John Souttar from his wide left starting berth. 6
Odsonne Edouard: Not quite as lethargic a display as he was accused of against Midtjylland. It did not help that, in the first half especially, he was starved of service despite the Hoops having 75% possession. After the break – and I can’t believe I’m writing it this way round – Edouard laid the ball off to Anthony Ralston, who beat two men and levelled. Lovely touch to play through James Forrest near the end. 6
Substitutes – Kyogo Furuhashi: A nervous first few minutes in a Celtic jersey. After coming on with just over 10 minutes left he lost possession before giving up a free-kick and did not really get involved thereafter. 5
Ryan Christie: Almost made an instant impact with a left-footed curler and was always a willing off-ball runner as the closing stages became a nervy affair. Was ready and willing to take possession as time ticked away and almost conjured up an equaliser twice: first with an outside-of-the-boot ball into Edouard for Forrest’s chance and then with a good corner delivery for Starfelt’s header. 6
Tom Rogic: Given just seconds to make an impact.
Subs not used: Vasilis Barkas, Albian Ajeti, Adam Montgomery, Stephen Welsh.
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