How every Celtic player rated vs St Johnstone in away defeat

Starting XI

Viljami Sinisalo - 6

Starting his first game for Celtic away from home in place of Kasper Schmeichel, he could do nothing about Daniels Balodis' header, following a great ball in by Graham Carey. Made another good save from Stephen Duke-McKenna, whose shot from distance tested the Finland international at his far post. Had virtually nothing else to do after this, though the damage was done.

Alistair Johnston - 5

An ever-present on the Celtic backline, the Canada stalwart tried his best to get forward as much as he could in the opening half, with the defender not needing to defend as much at McDiarmid Park. He linked up with fellow right-sided teammate Kuhn a couple of times, though nothing came of their collective efforts after 45 minutes of play. Was anonymous in the second half, as nothing of note came down his side.

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 6

Partnered alongside his international teammate for the first time in three games, the defender was busy in the early exchanges of the opening half, as he and Trusty were in the wars against St Johnstone's physical attackers. Perhaps could have done better for the goal, though more blame should go to those who failed to track the run. Was the better of the two centre-backs on the day, as he was imposing, unlike Auston Trusty beside him.

Auston Trusty - 5

The USA international replaced Maik Nawrocki, after shaking off his recent calf injury, which kept him out of the last two matches. A couple of shaky moments for the defender, as he was up against the physicality of St Johnstone's attack, who looked to unsettle the £6 million man. Did alrigh for the most part, though the shakiness remained in place for large parts. COuld have cost his team a second up against Kimpioka in the second half.

Jeffrey Schlupp - 4

Again, preferred over the outgoing Greg Taylor at left-back. Gave away the free-kick that led to the home side's opener, which was sloppy from the Ghanaian. He then failed to defend Balodis' run from the set-piece, which allowed the St Johnstone defender to grab the opening goal. After a poor first half showing, he was subbed for Greg Taylor at half time. 

Callum McGregor - 6

The Celtic skipper was quiet, as the two midfielders in front of him got more of the ball higher up the McDiarmid Park pitch. His influence would be greater in the second half, as he pushed forward to try and get Celtic back into the game, which looked admittedly unlikely. Could not contribute the needed drive to rescue anything for his team.

Arne Engels - 6

The record signing had Celtic's first sighting of goal, though Andy Fisher was not troubled in between the St Johnstone sticks. The best midfielder for Celtic in the opening half, the Belgium middle-man tried his best to make things happen, on what was a difficult surface to play on. A quiet second half would transpire for the £11 million man, as he was taken off for Luke McCowan after 65 minutes.

Reo Hatate - 5

The midfielder tried to make things happen in the first half, though nothing of any great note transpired for the Japan international. He took a few shots at goal, but nothing that gave Fisher any trouble in the St Johnstone goal. A frustrating player when things are not going his way, he was rash at times, though his effort could not be questioned. Cracked the post in the opening stages of the second half, before blazing the ball over the ball from close range.

Nicolas Kuhn - 4

After a positive showing last time out, the German would have been keen to impress once again, this time away from home. This did not transpire in the first half, as the winger was very poor, both in possession with his passing and off the ball. His manager had seen enough, and he was hooked in place of Yang Hyun-jun. A miserable day for the former Rapid Vienna attacker in Perthshire.

Daizen Maeda - 5

Tasked with leading the line once again in place of Adam Idah, Celtic's main man forced a save out of Fisher, which presented Kuhn with a chance that was defended well by the hosts. Quite uncharacteristically, his passing was off on more than one occasion, as rashness returned to his game when supplying the ball to his teammates. After a quiet day in front of goal, he was replaced by Idah after an hour. 

Jota - 6

The returning winger was looking to keep his good form going in this one, having contributed an assist and goal in his last two outings. He looked the most dangerous out of the front three in the first half, despite being starved of possession for large parts of the opening period. Despite continuing to look dangerous, he was replaced by James Forrest after 75 minutes, with his side still chasing an equaliser.

Substitutes

Yang Hyun-jun - 7

Arguably Celtic's best attacker on the day, the South Korea international took his opportunity to try and make things happen in the final third, as he gave the home side all sorts of problems in the second half, after coming on for Kuhn. Could not supply a goal or an assist, however 

Greg Taylor - 3

The soon-to-be-departing left-back was brought on to replace Schlupp, though he failed to make any sort of impact on the game in an offensive sense. Was solid defensively, however.

Adam Idah - 4

Set up fellow sub James Forrest with a wonderful cross into the box - a chance that the veteran winger did not take. 

Luke McCowan - 3

Nearly scored from range, before testing the goalkeeper late on. 

James Forrest - 4

Should have scored after Idah's pickout to himself in the box, though Fisher saved well from extremely close-range.