It was great to see Alistair Johnston return to the starting XI for Celtic against Hibernian on Sunday at Easter Road.
Celtic’s first-choice right-back has had a torrid time with injury this season, but it’s better late than never regarding his return to action.
For Celtic’s crucial win over Hibernian, 67 Hail Hail looked at which starting outfield players were rated highest and lowest by Sofascore.
Johnston had a solid game during his 64 minutes on the pitch, as he rated highest among his Celtic players, with Daizen Maeda, who opened the scoring, sitting at the bottom alongside Hyunjun Yang.
Who was your Celtic MOTM vs Hibs??
Alistair Johnston, Daizen Maeda and Hyunjun Yang’s ratings for Celtic against Hibs
Starting with Maeda, yes, he opened the scoring, and that lively nature to his game has returned during these post-split fixtures.
But there were moments, as proven just before Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winner, where the Japan star has that rough-around-the-edges nature to his game.
Maeda started down the middle, scoring after Jamie McGrath got sent off, before being shifted to the left for Sebastian Tounekti.
- Total shots: 3
- Big chances missed: 1
- Touches: 27
- Possession lost: 10
- Maeda’s Sofascore rating: 6.5
Amazingly enough, one of the stories of the season has been Yang. A player who could have left Parkhead in the summer has improved in big ways this summer.
The South Korean star has bundles of energy, and he showcased that in the capital, but he was handed the same rating as Maeda.
- Total shots: 3
- Big chances created: 1
- Key passes: 4
- Touches: 76
- Possession lost: 19
- Yang’s Sofascore rating: 6.5
How would you use Yang next season?
Celtic face Rangers at the weekend, and it will be interesting to see whether Johnston starts again, given that he has just returned to action.
To be fair, if Anthony Ralston does start, it’s no bother, because he has been excellent in recent weeks.
Nonetheless, Johnston was Celtic’s highest-rated player against the Hibees.
- Total shots: 1
- Assists: 1
- Key passes: 3
- Touches: 54
- Recoveries: 2
- Ground duels won: 1
- Aerial duels won: 1
- Johnston’s Sofascore rating: 7.5
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