Joe Hart: Conceding three is not a reflection of Hart's individual display. The ex-England international did not have much to deal with in the first half outwith the goal – a particularly strong Josip Juranovic backpass aside – as he was a virtual spectator for the opener and both instances of his woodwork being rattled. After the break he bounced back to top form with a fantastic double save – first with his feet then a fearless claim at the feet of the attacker on the rebound. His quick release to Forrest helped set up Celtic’s second shortly after, while he saved twice more before being beaten twice as Leverkusen ramped up the pressure late on. 8
Anthony Ralston: It was the Scotland international trying to track Robert Andrich for the Leverkusen opener, but he got lost among the glut of bodies occupying the box. He recovered from that well enough, picked out James Forrest in good areas on a few occasions and delivered a great ball for Turnbull in the dying embers but it was not a display up there with his own high standards so far this season. 6
Cameron Carter-Vickers: The calls for his signing to be made permanent will only grow louder. It was almost an understated performance from the centre-back as his covering, interceptions and general hustle at the back could easily have gone unnoticed at first viewing. Picked up a soft booking that rules him out of the final group match against Real Betis. 7
Stephen Welsh: Sucked out of position in the opening minutes allowing Jeremie Frimpong to burst into Celtic’s left half-space. Carter-Vickers covered to snuff out the danger on that occasion, with the youth product going on to make more than one positive contribution at the back throughout the rest of the match. It feels worth noting that, while Welsh was eventually the closest Celt to Leverkusen scorer Andrich when he headed the opener, it was not his man. 7
Josip Juranovic: Giorgos Giakoumakis’ status as first-choice penalty taker might well be in danger after all. At 1-0 down, with very little in the way of chances created, it was Juranovic who stepped forward to take the spot-kick. His Panenka, which paused to give the crossbar a wee kiss en route over the line, got Celtic back in the game and in the match. Elsewise, the Croatian is growing into the left-back role offensively and always seems willing to try pass-and-moves with Jota or the central midfielders. His readiness to attempt passes that put Celtic closer to goal is proving invaluable on European nights but, on the defensive end, it was a mixed night. He had a mischievous ball of energy to contain in Frimpong – who got in behind both he and Welsh on a few occasions – and it was his mistake that led to Leverkusen hitting the woodwork with another poor decision after the break slightly detracting from a good overall performance. 7
Nir Bitton: Robbed of the ball after a lackadaisical touch in the middle in the early exchanges but was saved by a timely Welsh tackle. His recent good form was massively put to the test against a mobile Leverkusen midfield that often trailed him out of his natural central habitat and a couple of early misplaced passes contrived to create the feeling it was going to be ‘one of those nights’ – but that was not the case. The Israeli did get to grips with the game, made crucial interceptions and offered some progressive passing when the opportunity arose. Forced off after a head knock and was missed. 7
Callum McGregor: The captain lost his balance early on and looked slightly out of sorts more generally in the opening stages. He showcased some attacking intent in the 25th minute with a wonderful spin and early release towards Forrest. Although it didn’t quite come off on that occasion, it is something the 28-year-old will have to start attempting more on days when Bitton is present to sit deeper. 6
James Forrest: Wandered about the right wing in hope for much of the first 20 minutes but showed glimpses of the threat he carries when he was found, putting in a couple of decent balls and winning a corner. The second half brought with it a reminder of his quality with a fantastic backheeled pass to control a long-range kick-out and then play Bitton through led to Jota’s goal. 6
David Turnbull: The Scotland international made a smart interception to spoil an early Florian Wirtz attempt at unlocking the defence and tried to crack the Leverkusen one himself with a through ball that Kyogo couldn’t quite get to. Turnbull was clattered from behind by Exequiel Palacios but immediately, and impressively, responded to that with an incisive pass to Kyogo seconds later. There is still a feeling that the 22-year-old is playing within himself somewhat but his creative purpose was there at the Bay Arena and that is a positive sign. Denied a potential goal with a last-gasp chance. 6
Jota: Three players swarmed him the first time he was on the ball and it did not get much easier for him to find space afterwards. Not that it deterred the Portuguese maestro, who kept trying to make himself available and got his reward when, first, his cross led to the penalty before a sweetly-struck left-footed finish put Celtic 2-1 up after the break. As the game opened up the 22-year-old got a couple of chances before his withdrawal to show the German fans why he is Celtic’s dream… but a defender’s nightmare. 7
Kyogo Furuhashi: As with Zander Clark in the semi-final, goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký had to be on his toes with Kyogo buzzing about. He was starved of quality service for much of the first half and, rather unlike him, was slow to read a Turnbull through ball when it did come. His bravery in going in to challenge for Jota’s cross rightfully won the Hoops a penalty when Hrádecký took him out. The Japan international’s role in Celtic’s second should not be overlooked either – the spatial awareness to play in Jota as he was going to ground was tremendous. 7
Substitutes
Mikey Johnston (for Jota, 72): Saw plenty of the ball for his spell on the pitch but couldn’t do much with it. 4
Liel Abada (for Forrest, 72): Not particularly involved. 4
James McCarthy (for Bitton 76): On to see out the game like against St Johnstone but positionally suspect on this occasion. 3
Albian Ajeti (for Kyogo 76): Didn't have much of an impact. 4
Subs not used: Scott Bain, Tobi Oluwayemi, Liam Scales, Dane Murray, Osaze Urhoghide, Adam Montgomery, Liam Shaw, Ismaila Soro.
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