Celtic put in a composed and professional performance as they saw off Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday afternoon. Brendan Rodgers named the same side that defeated Ross County on flag day as Reo Hatate remained out of the starting XI. Alexandro Bernabei and Sead Haksabanovic also found themselves back in the picture with places on the bench.
It took goals from Liel Abada, Kyogo Furuhashi and Matt O’Riley to seal the three points but it was a performance not without fault. Injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate cast a grey cloud over what was a big win for the Hoops.
+ New men making an impact
Celtic’s transfer activity has come under a lot of scrutiny from supporters, as the business the club has completed so far has been brandished as not good enough and as lacking a marquee signing.
However, the players the club has acquired so far have quietly impressed when they have been called upon so far this season. Odin Holm and Yang Hyun-Jun both made an impact from the bench, with Yang looking particularly lively and getting the assist for Matt O’Riley’s goal. Holm, meanwhile showcased some good technical abilities.
Maik Nawrocki has seen the most minutes of the new signings so far and has quickly settled into the Celtic backline, showing good recovery pace and tackling as well as shielding more responsibility and remaining composed following Cameron Carter-Vickers’ injury. If the Pole is the Carl Starfelt replacement, it looks like Celtic have got it right on the money with the Swede’s successor.
+ O’Riley continues to step up
Matt O’Riley continued his red-hot start to the season with a sensational display at Pittodrie. Big things have been predicted of the Danish Under-21 cap, who has intentions of breaking into the Denmark national team. On this form, he may do just that sooner rather than later.
O’Riley has been tipped for big things under Brendan Rodgers and he is only reaffirming those beliefs with recent performances as he swiftly turned defence into attack as well as linking up well with his wide men.
The 22-year-old was strong defensively and took his goal well with an unstoppable strike.
– The form of Greg Taylor
Greg Taylor has had a poor start to this season, there is no hiding from it. Lacklustre performances in pre-season went largely unnoticed due to the games being relatively meaningless, however, when the sloppiness spills over into competitive action then the fans start to take notice.
Taylor was slack on Sunday with lots of stray passes not finding his man as well as struggling defensively up against Shayden Morris. The Scot is lucky that Bernabei seems to have got on the wrong side of Brendan Rodgers. If he hadn’t, or if the poor displays continue, then his place in the starting XI would most certainly be up for grabs.
– Injuries that we didn’t need
The final con is one that is out of Celtic’s control but injuries to key players are just adding to the list of those missing over the next few weeks. Brendan Rodgers said we will need to wait and see with the fitness of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate but an injury for Carter-Vickers just a matter of games since he returned from knee surgery doesn’t look too good.
Hatate looked on his way to regaining his place in the first 11 with his cameo at Pittodrie before his opportunity was cut short. The Japanese and the American will no doubt be key players for Celtic’s Champions League campaign so the pair being at full fitness will be of utmost importance to the club.
JAMES MCKENZIE
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