Celtic and Hearts played out an exhausting 2-2 draw at Tynecastle on Sunday.
This wasn’t to Martin O’Neill’s liking, as ten-man Celtic had to settle for a point against the Premiership leaders.
Hearts had to come back from behind on two occasions to settle for a point, as Benjamin Nygren and Hyunjun Yang supplied the goals for the champions of Scotland.
Overall, it was a pretty poor game from the Hoops, who lacked control throughout the 90 minutes, as the final scoreline was, perhaps, the fair result.
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Rate Benjamin Nygren’s performance vs Hearts
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Celtic’s player ratings vs Hearts
Kasper Schmeichel – 9
Kasper Schmeichel stepped up when needed, saving a one-v-one effort from Alexandros Kyziridis, when Auston Trusty nearly gifted Hearts a goal in the first half.
Then, Trusty was sent off, and once again, Schmeichel was producing the heroics from point-blank range.
Celtic’s much-criticised keeper has come under fire this season, but he was one of the very few who could hold his hands up against Hearts.
Julian Araujo 7
A solid defensive display from Celtic’s January signing. When Julian Araujo bursts forward, you know about it.
But Araujo’s job was to stop Kyziridis, and he did that; perhaps others around him need to do better, and maybe then Celtic fans will see the best from him.
Auston Trusty – 5
Very odd game from Auston Trusty. On one hand, the American was doing a lot of great things, winning duels and showcasing his defensive strength.
But on the other hand, Trusty nearly gifted Hearts a goal in the first half and was then sent off, after review, for pulling down Issa Kabore.
Liam Scales – 7
Liam Scales has probably been Celtic’s best player this season, and he is at his best when you tell him to eat everything that is thrown into the box.
The Republic of Ireland international did just that in a very scrappy game in the capital.
Kieran Tierney – 6.5
From an attacking sense, there wasn’t much on display from Kieran Tierney, but he didn’t give much away going back either.
Tierney wasn’t helped by how poor Daizen Maeda was in front of him. But a solid display from the Scotsman, before he was forced off injured in the second half.
Arne Engels – 3
Celtic lacked control for large parts of the game, and Arne Engels, unfortunately, played his part. Engels divides opinion, and you sense that hasn’t changed after this game.
The Celtic Park faithful want their club-record transfer to do the simple things well as a midfield player, and he simply doesn’t.
Callum McGregor – 6.5
There were times when Callum McGregor just wasn’t allowing Hearts to come into Celtic’s half, and he was the only one out of the three midfielders showing any sense of calmness or control.
You sense that if McGregor were playing alongside better players, you would see much more from him.
Benjamin Nygren – 7
Stunning free-kick to open the scoring, as Benjamin Nygren showcased his goalscoring qualities once more.
The only reason Nygren is getting a high rating is because of the free-kick. Other than that, he was very poor in the middle of the park and couldn’t keep hold of the ball.
Hyunjun Yang – 5
Hyunjun Yang was giving away far too many fouls during the game, and even though he was in the right place to score Celtic’s second goal, you just want and need more sensible play.
Tomas Cvancara – 8
Encouraging debut from Tomas Cvancara.
Celtic’s January signing battled and battled in that first half, and then when his teammates played to his strength, he linked up very well with Maeda in the second half to supply a brilliant assist for Yang to score.
Daizen Maeda – 3
Just very poor from Maeda. Another player who couldn’t do the simple things right. The Japan star hasn’t found his best form this season, and he isn’t showing any signs that it will change.
SUBS: Sebastian Tounekti (3), Anthony Ralston (5), Dane Murray (4).
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