Every Celtic player's 2024/25 campaign assessed SO FAR

Thus far, Brendan Rodgers’ side have won 10 out of their opening 11 games – their only blot being that bruising 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Players have come and gone, which has allowed for a few fresh faces in and around the squad to freshen things up. With that in mind, The Celtic Way’s Ryan McGinlay rates every player’s start to the season.

Disclaimer: To receive a rating, individuals must have made at least FOUR appearances before the latest international break. Because of this, players such as Scott Bain, Viljami Sinisalo, Maik Nawrocki, Odin Thiago Holm and Francis Turley have failed to make the list, as insufficient minutes have been played by these individuals to form a meaningful opinion on their contributions in this campaign.

In positional order, here are Ryan’s player verdicts after 11 games played…

Kasper Schmeichel

The Denmark captain was Celtic’s second signing of the transfer window, joining as a free agent following his exit from Anderlecht. Originally a tough sell due to his age and the lack of a transfer fee paid, he has silenced all of the doubters pretty quickly. With six clean sheets in 11 games – including six out of seven in the Scottish Premiership – the 37-year-old has been a revelation for Celtic in goals. Good on the ball and excellent at shot-stopping, Schmeichel has been an inspired signing for the club and Rodgers thus far.

Rating: 8/10

Alistair Johnston

After a slow start to the season – thanks in part due to his involvement at the Copa America for Canada – Johnston has come into his stride, becoming both a leader in the dressing one and one of Celtic’s best players this campaign. Managing two goals and three assists, the Canadian right-back has been a menace on both ends of the pitch for his club. A real asset at the back for Celtic – so much so that the club are trying to tie him down to a new deal.

Rating: 8/10

Greg Taylor

Much like Johnston, the left-back has become an integral part of Rodgers’ machine – especially when going forward. Indeed, three assists so far this season indicate that the Scotland international is a creative force in this Celtic side. Injuries have curtailed his mojo ever so slightly, though Taylor is a first pick whenever he returns from his latest knock. Mirroring his opposite full-back, Taylor needs a new deal, too – he deserves it.

Rating: 8/10

Alex Valle

The Barcelona left-back joined Celtic on loan in the final week of the transfer window, with his first foray into life at Parkhead coming in that wild 5-2 League Cup win versus Falkirk. Despite looking shaky for both goals, he impressed going forward, which was backed up in two second-half cameos versus St Johnstone and Borussia Dortmund domestically and in Europe respectively. Last week, he made his first league start against Ross County, catching the eye with his athleticism and drive. More to come from the La Masia product this campaign, you would suspect.

Rating: 6/10

Anthony Ralston

A squad player seemingly happy with his lot at Celtic, the Scotland international now plays back-up to Johnston on the right side when called upon. Indeed, the likelihood of Ralston being a regular starter is unlikely now, but he can be relied upon to put in a shift when required. Expect the right-back to get more game time as the weeks and months go on, given the fixture list and Johnston’s recurring back injury. A trusted team player.

Rating: 5/10

Liam Scales

By far Celtic’s most consistent centre-back this campaign – almost by default due to injury – Scales has been a mainstay in the heart of defence for Rodgers this season. He is there on merit, too, as his performances have been largely impressive since his return to training in pre-season. He may have been in the defence by default last campaign, but a serious argument about Scales being Celtic’s best defender at the moment can now be made concerning the Republic of Ireland international. Confident, driven and always looking to improve every game, the former Shamrock Rovers man deserves all of the flowers coming his way at the moment. A key cog in Celtic’s success so far this season.

Rating: 8/10

Cameron Carter-Vickers

When ‘CCV’ is fit, he plays. Unfortunately for Celtic and Rodgers, injuries have hampered the past 2-3 years of his career up in Scotland, though there are no doubts that he is the best defender in the land when fit and firing. After a bit of a shaky start in the opening weeks, the USA international found his groove, performing well domestically against Rangers and in Europe versus Slovan Bratislava. Currently injured again, everyone associated with the centre-back will have their fingers crossed that he can shake off these persistent knocks. A colossus when available.

Rating: 7/10

Auston Trusty

Signed from Sheffield United on Deadline Day for £6 million, Trusty had to be patient for his first appearance, which came against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. Since then, he has started four games in all competitions, with only the Borussia Dortmund game calling the 26-year-old into question concerning his performance – a bad night for everybody, in fairness. Looks to be a steady customer who is entering his prime, a handy player to have while his fellow USMNT teammate Carter-Vickers recovers.

Rating: 6/10

Callum McGregor

The captain has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season, scoring four goals – all from long range – and looking extremely sharp in the base of midfield. Since announcing his retirement from international football, it seems as if Celtic’s number 42 has been given a new lease of life in the engine room, as McGregor has been playing some of the best football of his long and successful career during this campaign. Long may this brilliant run of form continue – a dark horse for Player of the Year already.

Rating: 9/10

Arne Engels

Celtic’s new record signing has enjoyed a largely positive start to life in Glasgow. Making his impressive debut off the bench versus Rangers in the Glasgow Derby, before back-to-back Man of the Match performances versus Hearts and Slovan Bratislava, Engels seemed to have the Scottish football world at his feet. Following another positive cameo versus Falkirk in the League Cup, he would have a quieter game in Perth, before really struggling against Borussia Dortmund and Ross County respectively. The international break has come at the right time for the Belgium midfielder – a star in the making, though patience must be had with unlocking his undoubted talent.

Rating: 7/10

Paulo Bernardo

A snip at £3.5 million, Celtic may have robbed Benfica for a second time in two years. Though his integration back into the team was gradual, the Portugal U21 captain has become a reliable midfielder for Rodgers to call upon. Already with two cracking goals to his name versus Falkirk and St Johnstone, the 22-year-old looks to be both a player for the present and the future, who can seamlessly come in and out of the team when required. Did not have his best night in Dortmund but has been effective in every other showing recently. He will be a big player for Celtic this season, that’s for sure.

Rating: 7/10

Reo Hatate

By his lofty standards, Hatate’s season thus far has been a bit of a mixed bag for the Japan international. Good performances against Slovan Bratislava and St Mirren have been coupled with frustrating displays against Rangers and Ross County, which has led to suggestions of inconsistency in the 26-year-old’s game. The talent is there, it is just about Hatate reaching his true potential on a more regular basis. Let’s hope he gets back to his best when he returns from the international break.

Rating: 6/10

Luke McCowan

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the season so far, the Deadline Day signing has been so effective in maintaining the tempo for Celtic when coming off the bench for his boyhood side. He would score an important second goal versus Hearts, before two extremely effective cameos against St Johnstone and Ross County – both away from home. Steady on the ball and a tireless worker, McCowan will no doubt be called upon as the season progresses.

Rating: 6/10

James Forrest

Though the veteran winger has not yet scored this season, he has managed three assists in seven appearances for Celtic. A reliable sub for Rodgers to bring on in games, Forrest still is effective despite not being as quick as he used to be, which has meant a slight tweak to his game concerning timing his runs and picking and choosing when to chase. You cannot have enough seasoned professionals in and around the team.

Rating: 6/10

Nicolas Kuhn

Celtic’s best player so far this season, the German winger has been incredible for Rodgers this season. The slight, unimpressive winger who joined the club in January has evaporated, with a dangerous and determined wide man taking his place on Celtic’s right wing. Indeed, with 14 goal contributions already (six goals, eight assists), the former Rapid Vienna player looks every inch a star at his current side, with plenty more to come, you would expect. That £3.5 million is already looking like a bargain for Celtic – his impact is certainly being felt out wide for the champions. A Glasgow Derby goal away from being a hero in the eyes of many.

Rating: 10/10

Luis Palma

With only four appearances to his name so far, it has been a disappointing start to Palma’s second season at the club. Sometimes struggling to even make the bench, Rodgers has preferred to play Daizen Maeda over the Honduras international – who has lost his spot with the national team. Has to improve in the coming months, though his hat-trick versus Sligo Rovers could be the catalyst he needed to get back to his best. Not unsalvageable, but a lot of work to be done by Palma.

Rating: 4/10

Yang Hyun-jun

There is not a lot to write home about concerning the South Korea international, in all honesty. A couple of bright showings off of the bench, but Yang looks to be far out of the picture – at least for being in line to start for Celtic. Improvements are needed if the versatile winger is to make the grade at his first European club.

Rating: 3/10

Daizen Maeda

Celtic’s joint-top scorer at the moment, Maeda has been brilliant so far this season out on the left wing. With six goals to his name – as well as two assists – he has added goals to his defensive work, which has made him a hero amongst the support and his peers. Admittedly not the most technically gifted player, but his hard work and determination essentially make him the first name on the teamsheet for Rodgers. Palma has a tough job on his hands ousting the Japan winger from his starting slot – Maeda is on fire at the moment for Celtic. A tremendous start to the season for the club’s number 38.

Rating: 9/10

Kyogo Furuhashi

After such a stellar pre-season, many were hoping that Kyogo had another breakout campaign – similar to the one he had under Ange Postecoglou in the 2022/23 season. Despite scoring against Rangers in a massive way in the Glasgow Derby, Kyogo’s form has been sketchy in front of goal, with the striker currently on four goals – the same as his strike partner Idah. St Johnstone away was a glimpse of what the talented Japan forward can do, though he has been missing too many gilt-edged chances for both the supporters and Rodgers’ liking. He can be trusted in the big moments, but too many chances are not being put away. A big winter period is required.

Rating: 7/10

Adam Idah

Much like Kyogo, Idah has had a bit of a mixed start to his first full season as a Celtic player. He took a while to get off the mark for the club following his permanent move from Norwich City this summer, though he went on a run, scoring versus Slovan Bratislava, Falkirk (twice) and then St Johnstone. Still very much a work in progress, you would trust the Ireland striker to score in the big moments when it mattered, though he should have more goals than the four he has managed thus far. Plenty to work with here, but further development is required.

Rating: 6/10