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Scott Burns

Celtic player ratings as Matt O'Riley is Scottish Cup final standout but 2 struggle in Hampden heat

It wasn't a perfect performance at Hampden - but Celtic sealed the Scottish Cup with a narrow win over Inverness Caley Thistle.

Ange Postecoglou 's side completed a clean sweep of honours with a 2-0 victory in the Hampden sunshine as Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada got on the scoresheet at the at the national stadium, before Daniel Mackay gave the Championshop side a lifeline. However, Billy Dodds' underdogs were left frustrated as the Scottish champions found the net again through Jota in Mount Florida,

It means Australian would not be denied the last piece of silverware that he had not lifted since arriving in Scotland in what could be his final game as boss amid swirling speculation over his future. But how did the players perform? Record Sport breaks down the performances.


JOE HART - Probably played more as a sweeper than a keeper. Hardly had a save to make and the only real early concern he had was on a rare Inverness counter. Was well-beaten at the goal and will have been annoyed to lose his clean sheet. 7

ALASTAIR JOHNSTON The Canadian had suffered a nasty one in the semi-final win but was always confident he would be fit for the final. He played his usual game high-energy from right-back, which saw him, at times, operate as another winger. 7

CARL STARFELT The big Swede’s pace allowed him to stroll through this game. Starfelt was able to clear up when Inverness tried to counter. He was also the starting point for a lot of Celtic’s attacks, as he had time and space to come out. 7

TOMOKI IWATA The former Yokohama F Marinos midfielder got the shout as the second centre half. He had played the final two games of the Premiership campaign and Postecoglou kept faith with him. He was rarely challenged although lost Mackay for the goal. 6

GREG TAYLOR He got forward plenty up Celtic’s left and at times also came in and played as a central midfielder to give his defence an out-ball. He was a bit more reserved in the second period but never looked troubled as Inverness tried to push forward more. 7

REO HATATE The midfielder was his usual bundle of energy. He was always looking for ways to unlock the Inverness defence with we clipped balls over the top. Looked to tire in the second half and was replaced. 6

CALLUM McGREGOR The captain is so often the heartbeat of the Celtic but Inverness tried to isolate him and to stop him dictating play in the first period. Got more space to play in the second period and created the second for Abada. 7

MATT O’RILEY Had a couple of early efforts before he pulled a great ball back for Kyogo to open the scoring. The Englishman’s clever runs and movement unsettled Inverness and brought the assist for Kyogo’s goal. Also involved in the second before he went off. 8

DAIZEN MAEDA The Japan star was well-matched by Wallace Duffy in the first period. He didn’t get much change out of him. Maeda worked hard but lacked quality, although he did drag a shot wide. Was replaced at the interval with a knock. 5

KYOGO FURUHASHI Scotland’s top scorer had come off against Aberdeen but was there to lead the Celtic attack. He had a quiet first half but his first touch saw the Hoops take the lead. He had another chance moments later. Replaced just before the hour. 7

JOTA The Portuguese star had a quiet first half, by his standards. Was more like his old self in the second half, after he switched. He wanted to run and get at the Inverness defence. Was another who was involved in the build-up to Abada’s goal up the left and then netted the clincher. 7

Subs

LIEL ABADA (Maeda 46). A big performance from the Israeli. 6

OH (Kyogo 59) Tried hard. 3

DAVID TURNBULL (O’Riley 76) Kept the ball well. 2

SEAD HAKSABANOVIC (Hatate 76). Had a late chance but shot over. 2

JAMES FORREST (Jota 90) . Late cameo role. 1

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