Celtic were on top form against St Johnstone at Hampden, winning 5-0 to power through to the Scottish Cup final.
Starting XI
Viljami Sinisalo - 7
Continuing to feature in place of the injured Kasper Schmeichel in goals, the Finland international had the best view of Celtic’s expert attacking display in the opening half, where they scored four goals in 11 minutes. Could do nothing about MacKenzie Kirk’s long-range effort, though a foul was given in the lead-up, preserving his clean sheet in the process. A good first Celtic outing for the young keeper.
Alistair Johnston - 8
No stranger to the national stadium, the Canada stalwart was instrumental for the opener, as he won the ball in the middle of the park from St Johnstone, which ended up as a goal for Celtic’s captain. He would pick up an assist in the second half, as his looping ball was met by substitute Jota, with the right-back celebrating as if he had scored! Back to his best, it would seem.
Cameron Carter-Vickers - 7
A nailed-on starter for Celtic when fit, it was a quiet opening half for the USA international, as he had nothing to do in a defensive sense, though his passing was good from back to front. Tried his luck from range, though that did not go as well as last week, admittedly. Solid throughout, though you would expect nothing less.
Liam Scales - 7
Preferred to both Maik Nawrocki and Auston Trusty alongside Carter-Vickers, his pass into Reo Hatate was key in the makeup of the third goal, which was scored by Adam Idah. Like his fellow defenders, he had nothing to do other than distribution, which was solid throughout. Looks to have the jersey over his more expensive teammates.
Greg Taylor - 8
A standout in the opening 45 minutes, Taylor’s inverted style caused St Johnstone so many problems, as his movement into midfield provided an overload in the engine room. Though he did not pick up a goal or an assist, he was key in Celtic establishing dominance in the game. A very polished showing from the left-back, the supporters will be hoping that he sticks around for a few more good showings like this.
Callum McGregor - 9
The Celtic captain stomped his authority all over this fixture, as he opened the scoring for the cup-holders after 34 minutes. Following a delicious backheel from Reo Hatate, the skipper had time to pick his spot before side-footing the ball low into the far corner, which opened the floodgates for Celtic on the day. A stylish showing from Celtic’s leader, he lasted the full 90 minutes – he can now look forward to yet another final as captain of the club.
Arne Engels - 7
A quiet opening half for the record-signing, who allowed the likes of McGregor and Hatate the freedom to push on and provide attacking flair at the national stadium. A couple of nice touches here and there, but nothing substantial from the Belgium midfielder. It was not required, however, with Engels taken off for Luke McCowan after an hour played. Plenty more to come from the former Augsburg player.
Reo Hatate - 9
A masterclass from the Japan international, Celtic’s number 41 was immense for the duration of his time on the park, as he contributed three assists in just 11 minutes of first-half play. The pick of those came from the opener, as his backheel effort found McGregor, who did the rest from just outside the box. After 70 brilliant minutes, the middle-man left the national stadium to a standing ovation, as Paulo Bernardo took his place. Spellbinding from the 27-year-old.
James Forrest - 7
A Hampden veteran, the 33-year-old retained his spot ahead of Nicolas Kuhn, whose form has been up and down as of late. He provided good wing work, though he could not score his first goal of the season – a strike that seems to be evading the experienced winger so far. Was replaced by Nicolas Kuhn midway through the second half, with the game over as a contest.
Adam Idah - 7
Trusted through the middle while Daizen Maeda played out wide, the Irishman was in the right place at the right time to profit from Hatate’s ball into the box – he couldn’t miss. After missing the ball early in the second half which looked like it would result in a double for the forward, he was subbed in place of Jota, as Maeda moved into the middle. Another goal at Hampden for the £9 million man – a needed one, too.
Daizen Maeda - 8
Shifted to the left so Idah could lead the line, Maeda grabbed a double in the first half. His first would come rather fortuitously, as the St Johnstone defender failed to clear, leaving the Japan striker with just the keeper to beat. He made no mistake, much like his second strike, which finished off the scoring in the first half. Another top showing from Celtic’s top man this season. Deadly in front of goal – St Johnstone found that out once again this afternoon.
Substitutes
Jota - 6
The Portugal international would have been disappointed to have not started this one, but he wasted no time in getting in on the act at Hampden. From a tight angle, the January signing would slot home Johnston’s looping ball, which made it 5-0 on the day. Not dissimilar to his strike vs Inverness a couple of years back, he had his say once again at Hampden. More to come, that in for certain.
Nicolas Kuhn - 4
Brought on for Forrest, the German looked to get his mojo back after a difficult few weeks for the player. Looked bright.
Luke McCowan - 3
A couple of nice touches from the former Dundee captain, he can look forward to potentially playing in his first final at the national stadium next month.
Paulo Bernardo - 3
Came on for the final 20 in place of the brilliant Hatate.
Tony Ralston - 3
Replaced the impressive Johnston at right-back to play at Hampden, a location familiar to the Scotland international.
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