Celtic player ratings: Duffy shines but striker flops badly

Celtic against St Mirren was delayed from the start of the season because of the strange Boli Bolingoli visit to Spain. The opportunity to close the gap on Rangers in the league was too good an opportunity to miss.

Celtic’s starting line up wasn’t one many would have predicted. It’s also notable that with a series of leaked teams in the hours before a number of previous matches, this one didn’t appear to escape beforehand.

Christopher Jullien and Albian Ajeti on the bench with Jeremie Frimpong and a rare start for Patryk Klimala being the main surprises as Neil Lennon swapped things around after the 5 goal win and clean sheet at Ross County last weekend.

Was this squad rotation in action with some of the squad players still needing to find fitness and being spared 3 games in a week or so? It’s the sort of line up change that probably only gets an all round nod of approval afterwards when the result is known.

There weren’t too many nods when St Mirren took the lead in the second minute. Celtic laboured and toiled and gradually took control but without getting too many chances. Two headers, one from Shane Duffy and another from James Forrest (yes, a header) saw the hoops pull in front in the first half.

The hoops remained in control in the second half but couldn’t create too many chances. A clear penalty from Odsonne Edouard was saved by the keeper. It was a nervy end to the half as St Mirren pressed forward. Not a great performance but a win’s a win and three points.

Everyone will have a view on how the team and players performed, most will be different. Here’s one view of the ratings from tonight.