Celtic Player Ratings as Hatate and Maeda dazzle the Dons

Kasper Schmeichel - A quiet opening half for the Dane, as Aberdeen were under the cosh for large parts of the game, leaving Schmeichel to focus on mainly his distribution and concentration levels. Had absolutely nothing to do - a spectator for the most part. Busier on Tuesday, you would imagine. 7

Alistair Johnston - He just ‘gets it’. The Canada right-back was immense on the day, providing defensive cover while getting forward at the earliest opportunities to cause problems at both ends for Aberdeen. he would get a well-earned assist at the end for Maeda’s third and Celtic’s sixth, cutting back to the forward after good play in the build-up from his midfielders. A very strong showing from Celtic’s number two - though you expect this sort of showing from Johnston at this stage. Bossed it. 8

Cameron Carter-Vickers - A towering presence at the back for Celtic, he would show off his attacking presence by heading home Engel’s pinpoint cross from the corner, leaping off the back of Jack McKenzie’s back to fire home. With Aberdeen nullified by Celtic, it allowed for CCV to focus on his passing, which was top notch alongside Auston Trusty. The pair look like a good match in the centre of defence - 8

Auston Trusty - Rodgers made a big call putting the American in the side ahead of Liam Scales, though you could say it was an inspired decision from the manager as the big man strolled it for Celtic on the day. Good in the tackle and a reliable defender at the back, his passing was solid, too, as the USA international was faultless on the day. Slowly but surely, Trusty is morphing into an undroppable player for Celtic - £6 million well spent at this point if performances like these continue. Getting better with each passing game. 8

Alex Valle - The young left-back was preferred to Greg Taylor, which proved to be a masterstroke by Rodgers on the day. Composed under pressure and good in the pass, he was a constant menace for Aberdeen and Thelin on the day. Taylor has a job on his hands concerning seeing the back of the Spaniard, as the La Masia product looks like a player growing in confidence with each passing day. A very promising showing from Valle - it may well be his jersey to lose now on the left-hand side of defence. 8

Callum McGregor - Normally when a player is booked, it quietens them down and makes them a shell of the player they were before the caution. It seemed to spur the skipper on, as he won the midfield tussle against the likes of McGrath, Nilsen and especially Shinnie. A general in the middle of the park, he turned Hampden into his stomping ground and did it with a swagger that Scott Brown would have been proud of. A colossus. 8

Arne Engels - Much more like it from the record-signing, Engels would contribute early doors via a cross into the box from a corner that found Carter-Vickers - all his defender had to do was nod it home from close range. He would be influential throughout, including feeding the ball to Kuhn for Celtic’s fifth on the day. Two assists and plenty of touches and passes - Engels was back to his best. Was afforded a rest after an hour - perhaps with a view to Tuesday night’s events. 8

Reo Hatate - Celtic’s metronome today, the Japan midfielder dictated play from start to finish, in a performance that indicated his immediate return to form at the club. Strong in the tackle and always pushing ahead to make things happen on the front foot, the 26-year-old put in a midfield clinic at the national stadium. Shinnie, Nilsen and Aberdeen could not get near the mercurial talent - he is unplayable in this sort of form. Bodes well for midweek. 9

Nicolas Kuhn - Restored to the team in place of Yang Hyun-jun, the upgrade in player quality was noticeable, as Kuhn ran riot for the duration of the contest. Influential for Celtic’s third, his constant driving into the box proved a thorn in the side of Thelin’s teams throughout. His main highlight was to come shortly before leaving the field, as he would emphatically find the back on the net from just outside the box with a curling shot. A man who looks in top form, he will be hoping to haunt his former side RB Leipzig when he reunites with them on Tuesday in the Chanpions League. 9

Kyogo Furuhashi - What is it about Kyogo and Hampden? Indeed, the Japan striker scored again at the national stadium, following good work from his countryman Maeda in the lead-up. Before this goal, it wasn’t really happening for him, though he was working hard to make things work up top. It would be Hatate and Maeda that would take the limelight over Celtic’s number eight, though he got on the scoresheet, making sure that his side booked their place in the final next month. 8

Daizen Maeda - Much like his fellow countryman Kyogo, Maeda sure does love playing at the national stadium, with the winger having a whale of a time in Mount Florida on the left-hand side. Three goals and an assist for Celtic’s number 38, not everything was perfect from ‘Duracell Daizen’, though the wide man did enough for everyone to look the other and turn a blind eye to his shortcomings. A machine on the park, he added a killer touch to his performance, allowing Celtic to run riot over Aberdeen by a very comfortable margin. A brilliant display. 9

Subs: 

Greg Taylor - Was solid when he came on in place of Valle after 60 minutes. Has a job on his hands to oust the Spaniard from his familiar position, mind you. 4

Paulo Bernardo - The embodiment of Celtic’s strength in depth, Bernardo put himself about when he came on, showing why he would be a starter in most other Celtic teams over the years. His back-heel to Johnston for Maeda’s third was a thing of beauty - another important member of Celtic’s deep midfield depth. Strong. 5

Liam Scales - Had little to defend as the game was over as a contest when he took to the field. Hard done by being benched, though Scales will continue to have a big impact on Celtic’s back-line this season. 3

Adam Idah - Did little to impact the game - starved of service, though it was over as a contest. 2

James Forrest - Some nice touches at the end - deserved a run-out as Kuhn was protected ahead of Tuesday night. 3