Celtic were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Midtjylland in the first-leg of their second-round Champons League qualifier but there's cause for optimism for the support with Celtic offering up an energetic, organised performance that only became plan B when Nir Bitton was sent off. It's game on in Denmark next Wednesday.

Vasilis Barkas: The Greek barely touched the ball in the first half and certainly wasn’t forced into meaningful action. There was pre-match concern among the support with the four deployed in front of him but his gloves didn’t burn up by any stretch of the imagination and after Bitton was sent off, nothing really changed. Although, Evander’s free-kick is one that probably should have been kept out and may well have been if he’d extended his arms towards the ball. 5

Anthony Ralston: An incredibly rash 19th-minute tackle on Midtjylland’s byline looked like it might set the tone for his evening given his relative inexperience, but he performed pretty well throughout the rest of the first half and continued that in the second. 6

Stephen Welsh: Read the play well on two occasions early in the game to intercept a Danish attack and his tackle on the 26th-minute typified Celtic’s approach to the start of the match. He followed that up in the 53rd, almost like he was trying to replicate Simunovic’s tackle on Kenny Miller at Ibrox. His slightly mistimed challenge led to the goal. 8

Nir Bitton: Spent 5 minutes off the field at the start of the game after being clattered on the left temple but as soon as he came back on he gifted it to the opponents who nearly carved out a chance. Was booked on 36 for clumsily stumbling into the back of an opponent on the halfway line and offered the referee the chance to give him a second one by putting his hand in the face of Anders Dreyer. Needless and mindless. Tried to be a hero and became a villain. 3

Greg Taylor: Seen infield early like the inverted full-back suggestion we've heard about Postecoglou's tactical plan. He and Christie were keen to flick on the ball down the left-hand side for Christie at the start and although he didn't impact the game too much going forward he did fine and didn't look out of place. 6

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Ismaila Soro: Didn’t give Paulinho an inch early on and drove through midfield to feed the playmakers. He acted as a single pivot with Turnbull and McGregor tasked with getting forward in possession and he did the job well. He looks at home in the midfield, composed with energy, and could be a big player for Celtic this season. 7

Callum McGregor: He thrived in middle with a looser leash than we've seen in the last season or two. He looked sharp, motivated, and moved the ball quickly. Was afforded a sight of goal at the start of the second half and a few seasons ago he might have tried to beat his blocker before zipping it across goal, but he shot early and it sailed over the crossbar from just outside the box. He struck it five minutes later, taking the ball on the half-turn, bursting forward, and letting loose. The Callum McGregor that Celtic fans know and love. 8

David Turnbull: His through balls didn’t stick to their target early on and his first, real successful flash of skill set up Abada to get in behind and cross, which would have been a beautiful 2nd assist had Christie hit the back of the net rather than the post. 6 

Liel Abada: A short but sweet debut for the Israeli. He had Celtic’s first shot on goal after a period of good pressing but it flew over the bar. Two glorious crosses after perfectly anticipating Turnbull's through-ball in the 35th-minute set-up Christie and he came close with both chances. Scored a debut goal when he was first to react to the goalkeeper's parry and a slightly mishit finish was probably to the team’s benefit as it bounced over the number one and into the net. He was the unfortunate one sacrificed when Bitton was sent off, causing a formation change. Pacey, direct and impactful. 8 

Odsonne Edouard: His press on Sisto earned a dangerous free-kick when the left-back tried to buy the foul. He looked motivated and an early shot on the spin went just over. A potential sliding doors moment on the hour-mark saw his one-on-one saved when eight or nine times out of 10 they hit the back of the net. 6 

Ryan Christie:  He looked hungry from the first whistle and in his first real involvement in the opposition box he hit the post before heading over in the very next phase of play just a matter of seconds later. Contributed to the goal with a powerful shot across the goal which the keeper could only divert to Abada. A glorious slide-rule through-ball for Edouard on the hour-mark wasn’t rewarded with a finish. Impactful and driven throughout, impossible to question his motivation despite his links with a transfer away from the club. 8 

Dane Murray: Came off the bench towards the end of the first half and at the start of the second showed a lovely piece of composure to chest the ball down for McGregor on the edge of the Celtic box as Midtjylland tried to burst through the defence. Brought the ball nicely from the back while in possession. The 18-year-old was thrown in the deep end after Bitton's moment of madness and didn't sink. 7

Tom Rogic and Albian Ajeti: Given a touch more than 10 minutes to try find a winning goal for Celtic to no avail. Rogic had a couple of efforts on goal easily tamed. 4