UEFA Champions League 2016/17: Celtic 3-3 Manchester City - Player Ratings

Rahul
Moussa Dembele
Moussa Dembele continued his impressive start by scoring a brace

Celtic Park was bouncing right from the first whistle as The Hoops saw out an impressive 3-3 draw against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who up until now had won all of their games this season.

A brace from Moussa Dembele and a Raheem Sterling own goal allowed the Scottish side to take the lead on three separate occasions but City showed exactly why their attack is considered so dangerous by getting back into the games all three times, thanks to goals from Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling and Nolito.

Which players impressed and who didn’t? Player ratings for Celtic vs Manchester City game:


Celtic

Craig Gordon: 7.5/10

Could do nothing to prevent the goals conceded and didn't have too many saves to make in the first half. Was understandably busier in the second, making a number of great saves to keep out a resurgent Manchester City.

Mikael Lustig: 6/10

Lustig had to stay sharp to prevent Nolito getting in behind him down Celtic’s right-hand side. Kept a close eye on the Spanish forward throughout the game and as a result was restricted in making runs going forward and had to focus on his defending.

Erik Sviatchenko: 7/10

The Danish defender dealt with the dangerous Aguero in the first half with relative ease and was a rock at the back as City continued to press towards the end of the match.

Kolo Toure: 7/10

The former Manchester City player defended extremely well and was a calming presence in the Celtic back-line. The Ivorian struggled to cope with City's pace at times in the opening 45 minutes, but was by far his team's best player in the second.

Made vital interceptions and blocks to deny his former team a winning goal.

Kieran Tierney: 7.5/10

The youngster was kept on his toes by an impressive Raheem Sterling but looked up to the task. Proved to be a danger on the left flank and was involved in two of Celtic's three goals.

The 19-year-old's attempted cross-shot deflected off Sterling and past Claudio Bravo for the second goal, while his cross led to Dembele's overhead stunner and Celtic's third.

Nir Bitton: 6.5/10

The central midfielder put in a tireless shift alongside Scott Brown in the heart of the Hoops midfield. He was quick to identify and cut out any threat from the visitors’ attack.

Scott Brown: 7.5/10

The central midfielder did his defensive duties with due diligence and his experience was much needed against a strong City side. The Celtic skipper hardly put a foot wrong and was quick to prevent the City midfield too much time in possession.

James Forrest: 6/10

Was kept well in check by Gael Clichy throughout the game, who matched the Scotsman’s pace. Forrest was largely invisible in the second half as City began pressing forward.

Tom Rogic: 6.5/10

The Australian was a dominant presence in the first-half, causing problems to the City defence whenever Celtic moved forward, but endured a completely opposite start to the second and was replaced just before the hour mark.

Scott Sinclair: 6/10

Sinclair saw a lot of the ball in the opening 15-20 minutes but gradually faded away as the match progressed. Gave Zabaleta a torrid time with his pace and strength.

Moussa Dembele: 8.5/10

Might have been a bit fortunate to not be flagged offside when he chested in the opening goal early on but there was nothing lucky about his finish at the start of the second.

The Frenchman took advantage of a poor clearance to finish extravagantly with an overhead kick. Replaced in the second half after running his socks off.

Substitutes

Stuart Armstrong: 5/10

Replaced Rogic but didn’t have a meaningful impact as City began to gain control of the match.

Patrick Roberts: 4/10

The Manchester City loanee came on against his parent club but couldn't do much to impress.

Lee Griffiths: NA

Came on in the 84th minute and didn’t do enough to warrant a rating.

Manchester City

Nolito and Manchester CIty
Nolito scored the 3rd goal to level things in the game

Claudio Bravo: 6/10

Bravo was helpless in preventing any of the three goals scored by Celtic. Never looked like making a mistake when on the ball despite Celtic's pressure.

Pablo Zabaleta: 5/10

Struggled to match Sinclair's pace and was often beaten by the winger. Moved further up the pitch as the second half progressed but produced nothing that needs mentioning.

Nicolas Otamendi: 5/10

Otamendi has had better games this season. He made it far too easy for the Celtic attack in the first half although the Argentine did improve as the game went on.

Aleksandar Kolarov: 4/10

Questions will be asked as to why Kolarov is being played at centre-back as the Serbian was woeful in the opening half. Moved to his preferred left-back position in the second half.

Gael Clichy: 6/10

Kept tight to Forrest down the left-hand side but offered little in the attacking department. Replaced by Stones for the final 20 minutes.

Fernandinho: 7/10

Continues to star for City as he has been this season. Scored his team's first equaliser with a clever finish, while cutting out the Celtic threat on the counter. Was provided more freedom after Fernando came on to the pitch.

Ilkay Gundogan: 5.5/10

The German endured a frustrating game as he was given no room to manoeuvre by a miserly Celtic midfield.

David Silva: 6/10

Usually the maestro in City's midfield, Silva lacked the space to provide a cutting-edge pass that he is capable of. Moved to a wider position towards the end of the game.

Nolito: 6.5/10

Was made to work hard to find space thanks to a watchful Lustig. Finished into an opening net to score City's third but was otherwise ineffective for the rest of the match. Brought off for the final 15 minutes to help his side move into a more defensive structure.

Raheem Sterling: 7.5/10

Manchester City's brightest spark in attack. Sterling was unfortunate to be awarded an own goal to his name, but the 21-year-old shrugged off the disappointment to cleverly score at the other end. His pace and trickery was a constant threat on the right-flank.

Sergio Aguero: 5/10

Credit must be given to the Celtic defence for keeping the Argentine at bay. Aguero enjoyed no freedom on the ball as the Hoops defenders kept a close watch on him whenever he was on the ball.

Substitutes

John Stones: 5/10

Brought on in the second half to sure up a leaky defence and did just that.

Fernando: 4/10

Replaced Nolito with less than 15 minutes to play and played just in front of the back four, allowing Fernandinho to move further forward.

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