Celtic are in the midst of another international break.
Nine Hoops stars have jetted off around the world to represent their countries, while Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston remain in Scotland to face Greece and Belarus.
The break gives manager Brendan Rodgers a chance to take stock, reflect on what has happened so far this season, and prepare for the next block of games.
Rodgers will have his own select list of players who have impressed him up until now, including the likes of Colby Donovan and Benjamin Nygren.
But who do football results and stats app FotMob rate as Celtic’s best performing players so far? 67 Hail Hail took a look and the results are somewhat strange.
5 – Daizen Maeda
- FotMob rating: 7.41
Maeda was deservedly Player of the Year for Celtic last season having scored 31 goals across all competitions. But it’s been a different story this campaign so far.
Maeda wanted to leave the Hoops in the summer but was denied an exit by the club right up until transfer deadline day.
His head is clearly somewhere else and that has reflected in his performances. Yes, his usual tireless work rate cannot be questioned, but his quality has diminished.
The Japanese star has three goals in 13 games so far this season, but fans expected more than that given what he produced last season.
4 – Cameron Carter-Vickers
- FotMob rating: 7.65
This one makes a lot of sense. If it wasn’t for the presence and defensive nous of Carter-Vickers this season, Celtic would be in a more difficult spot.
The American rarely has a bad game and it’s been proof over the last few years that when he plays, the Bhoys are simply a better team.
His assuredness at the back breeds confidence throughout the team, so it’s no surprise to see him in fourth spot.
3 – Anthony Ralston
- FotMob rating: 7.68
Interestingly, FotMob have Carter-Vickers behind Ralston so far. The Scotland full-back has played a more prominent part this season due to Alistair Johnston’s injury.
But he wasn’t good enough to keep Colby Donovan at bay, a player with very little top-flight experience compared to Ralston.
Let’s face it, while Celtic fans appreciate that Ralston is an academy graduate who will give his all for the shirt and badge, he’s an average right-back.
Donovan isn’t even in the top five but he’s been a more quality option than Ralston this season.
2 – Liam Scales
- FotMob rating: 7.73
Scales is arguably Celtic’s most improved player this season. He’s often been a scapegoat for fans, but he’s risen above that.
The Irishman has formed a formidable partnership with Carter-Vickers, with the pair only conceding six goals in 12 appearances together.
Scales is keeping Auston Trusty at bay, a man who cost the Hoops £6m last summer, and making Jahmai Simpson-Pusey look like he doesn’t even exist.
1 – Benjamin Nygren
- FotMob rating: 7.85
Some would have Scales as number one this season, while Sebastian Tounekti could also deliver a strong case for that spot.
But it’s Nygren who takes it, and it’s pretty much all down to the number of goal involvements he’s produced.
The £2m summer addition has played 13 games, scoring four goals and assisting the same number, totalling eight goal involvements.
Nygren has similar qualities to Matt O’Riley, players who are creative, have an eye for goal, and make clever runs into the box.
FotMob have certainly got three of their picks bang on, but Maeda and Ralston’s inclusions are certainly head-scratchers.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
