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Celtic logo
Europa League | Group Stage
Nov 26, 2015 at 8.05pm UK
 
Ajax

1-2

FT(HT: 1-1)
Milik (22'), Cerny (87')

Player Ratings: Celtic 1-2 Ajax

Sports Mole rates every player on their performance in Ajax's 2-1 win over Celtic in their Europa League clash at Celtic Park.

Celtic were eliminated from the Europa League as a result of their 2-1 defeat to Ajax in Group A at Celtic Park this evening.

Callum McGregor handed the Bhoys the lead in the fourth minute when he curled an effort into bottom corner, but the Dutch side were to equalise when Arkadiusz Milik converted from close range.

Both teams needed to push for a winner, and Celtic spurned several chances before Ajax won the match in the dying minutes when Vaclav Cerny fired the ball past Craig Gordon to secure the three points for Frank de Boer's men.

Below, Sports Mole rates every player on their display at Celtic Park.


Callum McGregor of Celtic scores their first goal during the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Celtic FC and AFC Ajax at Celtic Park on November 26, 2015 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.© Getty Images

CELTIC

Goal

Craig Gordon: Could have done more to prevent Viktor Fischer's tame strike from reaching Milik in the six-yard box, while he was also beaten at his near post for Cerny's goal late in the match. Made a couple of decent stops, while his handling and kicking were on point. (6/10)

Defence

Mikael Lustig: Had real problems dealing with the threat of Amin Younes throughout the contest. He was beaten for pace and skill on several occasions, which could have resulted in goals for the Dutch side. (4/10)

Dedryck Boyata: An unsteady display from the former Manchester City man. He along with his fellow defenders should have reacted to the loose ball which allowed Milik to turn the ball for the equaliser. Looked nervy in the second half as he committed several errors. (4/10)

Jozo Simunovic: Fared slightly better than Boyata in the centre of the defence, but was never convincing. The Celtic back four never looked comfortable over the course of the 90 minutes. (5/10)

Kieran Tierney: The best of the bunch in the Bhoys' backline as he made several good forward runs to link up with James Forrest. He also tackled well at the back post before he was substituted late in the game. (6/10)

Midfield

Callum McGregor: A strong performance on his return to action. Displayed good instincts to push into the space in the final third along with good composure to find the bottom corner with his fourth-minute strike. Had a solid first half, but seemed to fade as the match progressed. (7/10)

Tomas Rogic: Steady display in the centre of the park and battled well against the Ajax trio to earn his side possession in the second half. Had a difficult job replacing Scott Brown and Nir Bitton, and didn't shy away from the task. (6/10)

Stuart Armstrong: Was forced to drop back into the midfield due to Bitton's suspension and Brown's injury, and produced a solid display alongside Rogic and McGregor. (6/10)

Attack

James Forrest: Full of running throughout the match and offered an outlet down the left wing to open up space in the second half. His deliveries in the final third could have been better, but he did offer some scoring opportunities for his team. (6/10)

Gary Mackay-Steven: Struggled to make an impact in the game, bar a few bursts down the flank in the first half. Failed to make any telling contributions in the final third, which put pressure on Forrest and Griffiths to deliver. (4/10)

Leigh Griffiths: Not his day in front of goal as he failed to hit the target, despite being offered several good opportunities over the course of the contest. His control was extremely poor as he missed chances to get the ball out of his feet, which led to two missed openings, while his one costly miss came when he was played through by Allan, only to see his strike saved by Cillessen. A bad day at the office for the striker. (3/10)

Substitutes

Charlie Mulgrew: Almost made an immediate impact from the bench when he fired at goal, and saw his strike deflected onto the crossbar. Left the field after Ajax's second goal due to injury, leaving his side with 10 men for stoppage time. (4/10)

Scott Allan: The midfielder made an instant impact from the bench when he played the ball into the path of Griffiths, only to see the striker miss the chance. Was robbed on the edge of the box, which led to Cerny's late strike to seal the match. (5/10)

Emilio Izaguirre: Failed to make an impact in his time on the pitch after replacing Tierney in the 78th minute. (5/10)


Vaclav Cerny of Ajax celebrates as he scores their second goal during the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Celtic FC and AFC Ajax at Celtic Park on November 26, 2015 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. © Getty Images

AJAX

Goal

Jasper Cillessen: Made one fine save to deny Griffiths as he got just enough of the ball with his legs to divert it behind for a goal kick. A strong display from the Netherlands keeper. (7/10)

Defence

Kenny Tete: The full-back had a strong first half, but was troubled by the runs of Forrest in the second half, which resulted in his booking late in the match. (6/10)

Mike van der Hoorn: A decent outing from the defender after he was called on to replace Joel Veltman, who was ruled out of the match late on Thursday due to illness. Made one good challenge on Griffiths to deny him clear passage to goal. (6/10)

Jairo Riedewald: The defender made a couple of strong challenges, but his team were cut open at times in the second half and at the mercy of poor finishing from Griffiths. (5/10)

Mitchell Dijks: Coped with the threat of Mackay-Steven with relative ease and was able to push forward in the second half, although he could not produce any quality in the final third. (6/10)

Midfield

Davy Klaassen: Composed performance from the skipper in the middle of the park. The Ajax midfield were involved in an even battle with the Bhoys, but he was able to enjoy a solid outing at Celtic Park. (6/10)

Nemanja Gudelj: Was not able to affect the match in the final third, but his well-worked free kick almost carved out a chance for Schone, who missed his opening. Faded into a defensive role in the second half, but helped his side do enough to keep Celtic at bay. (6/10)

Lasse Schone: Had a few nice touches in the final third, but missed one good opportunity in the first half when his final touch let him down. Could not affect the game in the second half and was withdrawn in the 72nd minute. (5/10)

Attack

Viktor Fischer: Saw his first-half strike incorrectly ruled out for an offside against Milik. Latched on to Schone's deflected shot and was fortunate that his effort found its way across goal into the path of Milik, who scored his side's equaliser. Failed to improve in the second half before he was replaced by Cerny. (5/10)

Arkadiusz Milik: Displayed his predatory instincts by firing home his side's equaliser by pouncing on a loose ball in the six-yard box. Made a fine run to open up the Celtic defence to tee up Fischer, but was incorrectly judged offside. Displayed his composure to break and release the run of Cerny with a pinpoint pass to secure the win for his team. (8/10)

Almin Younes: A constant thorn in the side of the Celtic defence with his probing runs down the left flank. Could have had a couple of goals on another day as he saw one effort blocked, while another crashed off the post. He also came close with two first-half strikes. An impressive outing from the 22-year-old. (8/10)

Substitutes

Vaclav Cerny: Displayed great composure to win the game for his side with a late strike, burying his effort past Gordon at his near post. Made plenty of forward runs in his time on the pitch to give the Celtic backline problems. (7/10)

Donny van de Beek: The 18-year-old made a limited impact during his time on the pitch after replacing Schone in the 72nd minute. (5/10)

Yaya Sanogo: Had a couple of opportunities to get on the scoresheet, but failed to turn the ball home from close range from a low cross from Cerny, while he also fired a late effort wide of the post. (5/10)


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