Celtic put in a battling performance against Aston Villa in the final group game of this season’s Champions League.
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic starting XI was about last strong as the Celtic manager could make it after losing Cameron Carter-Vickers to injury, Hoops hero Daizen Maeda to suspension and selling Kyogo to Rennes.
After going behind 2-0 in a shocking opening five minutes, Celtic composed themselves as Adam Idah’s late first-half double battered Aston Villa to go in at the break level.
However, Ollie Watkins sealed the win for Villa as Celtic lost for just the fifth time in 21 games against English opposition in Europe.
So with that in mind, here are 67 Hail Hail’s Celtic player ratings after losing to Aston Villa 4-2 in the Champions League in Birmingham.
Kasper Schmeichel – 5
The big Denmark international could do nothing about the two first-half Aston Villa goals but Schmeichel’s poor clearance did lead to the Premier League club’s second.
Alistair Johnston – 6
Was left for dead at Villa’s opening goal but did make a crucial goalline clearance towards the end of the first half to keep Celtic in the game at halftime. Taylor did make a decent defensive contribution but it wasn’t enough to avoid a defeat
Auston Trusty – 5
The big US international made a couple of crucial interceptions but the pace of the game seemed to leave Trusty behind. Conceded the penalty with a tackle on Ollie Watkins halfway through the second half which, thankfully, the Aston Villa striker made a hash of it.
Liam Scales – 5
The Irish defender struggled to contain a pacey Villa attack that looked like they were about to run riot after the first ten minutes. Made a few interceptions but struggled for much of the match. Subbed late on as Dane Murray replaced him
Greg Taylor – 7
The Scotland defender had a huge hand in Adam Idah’s first goal with a marauding run down Villa’s left-hand side. Made a couple of interceptions but put in a decent
Reo Hatate – 8
Hatate started brightly with some sharp passing. Was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet but should have done better with his first-half shot. Was close to equalising in the second half but his shot fizzed just wide.
Callum McGregor – 6
The Celtic captain struggled to cope with the Aston Villa midfield in the early minutes of the game. Tried to control the match after the EPL side went 2-0 up and grew into the game. Passing was pinpoint as usual.
Arne Engels – 7
The Belgian played a huge part in Celtic’s equaliser with a cheeky little flick that split the Aston Villa defence. Put in a good shift in the heart of the midfield. Replaced by Bernardo 73rd minute
Nicolas Kuhn – 7
Looked dangerous and quick on the Celtic flank as Kuhn looked to offer the Hoops an outlet after being battered in the opening five minutes of the game. Had a shot on goal which drifted just wide in the first half
Hyunjun Yang – 4
Largely anonymous for much of the match and never offered any kind of threat to the Villa defence. Was hooked in the 73rd minute for Luis Palma.
Adam Idah – 9
The big Irishman came of age as he fired a quick double to put Celtic back into the match after it looked like it could have been a long night after going 2-0 behind in the first five minutes.
Paulo Bernardo (sub) – 5
Replaced Arne Engels in the 73rd minute and made some nice passes. Didn’t get enough time to make a real mark on the game
Luis Palma (sub) – 5
Like the rest of Celtic’s subs, Palma just couldn’t get involved much in the game after replacing Hyunjun Yang late in the second half.
Daniel Cummings (sub) – 5
The youngster made his full Celtic debut in one of the toughest fixtures he could have been thrown into. Has a bright future at the club.
Luke McCowan (sub) – 5
Replaced Reo Hatate late on but as with the rest of the late additions, didn’t get enough time to make his usual impact on the game.
Dane Murray (sub) -5
Replaced Liam Scales who looked injured late into the match. His cameo will give Murray his own personal memory but couldn’t do much about Villa’s late fourth goal.
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