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Celtic player ratings from Ferencvaros defeat as attacker gets 3/10

The Hoops failed to turn up again in Europe
ByJamie Kemble
The Hoops remain way off it
The Hoops remain way off it | Andrew Milligan - PA Images/GettyImages

Celtic lost their Europa League opener on Thursday night, coming up short against Hungarian side Ferencvaros at home.

The Hoops initially started well, finding plenty of joy down the left through James Forrest, but Ferencvaros found the breakthrough when Liam Scales deflected a cross into his own net.

The visitors could have scored another goal or two in the 10 minutes after that goal, with Celtic having a real wobble, regularly giving the ball away and getting caught diving in. Viljami Sinisalo had to make a solid near post save to prevent a two-goal deficit.

But Celtic slowly edged back into the game and got their reward when Forrest freed Kieran Tierney down the left, and the Scot pulled it back for Mika Baur to turn home with a composed finish.

The lead didn't last though, and just two minutes later, Zachariasson put the visitors ahead with a brilliant backheel finish, turning home a cross from Bamidele Yusuf.

The third came two minutes inside the second half when Celtic were caught on the break, and a smart switch found Daniel Arzani, who whipped a sensational finish into the far top corner from outside the box.

Celtic controlled much of the ball for the rest of the second half but didn't threaten the Ferencvaros goal often enough, largely firing off target aside from a powerful Sebastian Tounekti shot.

Viljami Sinisalo - 5

Nothing he could do about the opener and made a very smart near post save minutes later. The second was a really clever backheel and the third was a super strike. He moved the ball well, often stepping up the pitch in a bid to force his defenders up the pitch, but he couldn't prevent the goals.

Kieran Tierney - 4

At fault for the first goal, getting nowhere near his man, who was allowed to deliver the cross that forced the goal. Tierney's momentary redemption came when he pulled back an assist for Baur for the equaliser. Just a couple of minutes after the goal, Bamidele Yusuf beat Tierney all too easily before setting up the goal with a low cross.

Liam Scales - 5

A little unlucky to deflect the opener into the back of his own net. You could say it was a wild swing, but he felt he had to get something on it, with it being a dangerous cross. Probably should have got closer for the second goal.

Cameron Carter-Vickers - 6

Defended well for the majority of the game, although he won't be happy the second goal was scored from so close to the goal and in a central area, even if it was to Scales' side.

Colby Donovan (Off at 79') - 5

Always busy, but caught out of position for the third goal. You have to love his desire, but we do need to take a closer look at how often he is caught out of position and scrambling.

Callum McGregor - 4

A really poor first-half, making some very sloppy passes, losing the ball in key areas and struggling to get any control over the midfield. He certainly improved in the second half, but this was one of McGregor's worst games of the season.

Mika Baur (Off at 65') - 6

A lovely finish for the equaliser, arriving into the box at the perfect time.

Oliver Sorensen (Off at 45') - 5

Looked after the ball well, but he rarely turned. It was largely receiving the ball with his back to defenders and playing it backwards to a defender. There was nothing glaring, but Celtic needed more.

James Forrest - 6

Bright and lively all night, and had Adam Nagy, his opposing full-back, on toast for much of the evening. Played a role in the equaliser, driving up the wing and playing the ball through to Tierney down the left. Forrest was one of Celtic's best players here.

Haissem Hassan - 3

Struggled to get into the game in the first half, and little changed in the second. A reall flat display.

Camilo Duran - 4

Played in the central striker role, as many have been calling for. Duran pressed well off the ball, but he wasn't very good on it, struggling to get onto it and do anything with it.

Substitutes

Kasper Hogh (On at 45') - 5

Pretty ineffective again. At times, he might just move too much. Celtic need him to be a reference point, but he is often difficult to find.

Sebastian Tounekti (On at 56') - 5

Some poor deliveries and touches, it has to be said, but he also showed some real spark and looked dangerous, and that's what Celtic needed from him. He probably came closest to scoring the second with a powerful shot at the keeper. It's just that final product, as it is for so many Celtic players at the moment.

Benjamin Nygren (On at 56') - 6

Celtic looked much more dangerous with Nygren on the pitch. He came close with a couple of long range efforts, and perhaps should have scored the second, with the keeper out of his goal and scrambling back.

Luke McCowan (On at 65') - 6

Instantly played two fine passes, one of which created a good long range half-chance for Nygren. McCowan was much better here than his last European cameo.

Anthony Ralston (79') - 6

Steady enough in his first minutes of the season.

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