CRAIG GORDON: Strange night for the goalkeeper who had so little to do in the first half that he could have swung a hammock between the posts and enjoyed a doze in the sun. It got a lot busier for him in the second period, however. Hapoel’s first goal flashed past him at his near post before he was beaten again with a shot from the edge of the box. Partially atoned with smart stop from a header. 5
MIKAEL LUSTIG: Barely tested defensively in the first half but did not cover himself in glory at either of Hapoel’s goals. 5
KOLO TOURE: His mazy dribbles upfield will leave supporters with their hearts in their mouths at times but it was his driving run through the Hapoel midfield that set up Celtic’s second goal. Solid defensively, too, although unable to prevent the loss of either goal. 6
EOGHAN O’CONNELL: Steep learning curve for the 21 year-old Irishman who played well in the first half but was skinned by Lucio Maranhao for Hapoel’s first goal. 5
KIERAN TIERNEY: Usual buccaneering stuff from the young full-back who continues to impress with every game. Faultless at the loss of either goal with both moves coming down the other wing. 6
SCOTT BROWN: Full of energy and seemingly back to his best. Passing has come on a ton as well under the new manager. Had Celtic’s first chance after only two minutes, his shot deflected wide for a corner, and scored their fifth late in the game. 8
CALLUM McGREGOR: Another who undid an impressive first-half performance with some sloppy and costly defensive work in the second. 5
JAMES FORREST: Continues to look a player reborn under Brendan Rodgers. Stood up a terrific cross for Leigh Griffiths to head in Celtic’s second and could have had a late penalty, too, after squeezing through two defenders. 7
TOM ROGIC: Showed great composure to roll in the opening goal after the loose ball fell to him on the edge of the box. Another testing low drive in the first half was well saved by the goalkeeper. 7
SCOTT SINCLAIR: Took one for the team at the first goal. Clattered by the goalkeeper and would have had a penalty had the ball not fallen kindly to Tom Rogic. Missed a decent chance to score himself later in the half after being picked out by Kieran Tierney before driving a late shot just off target. Picked up a booking for covering for Kolo Toure who had galloped ahead before losing possession. 7
LEIGH GRIFFITHS: An outstanding performance. Terrific through ball sent Scott Sinclair sprinting clear in the build-up to the first goal, and then snuck in ahead of his marker to meet James Forrest’s cross for Celtic’s second. Spectacular free kick into the top corner right before half-time, then delivered the corner for Celtic’s fourth. 9
Subs:
Nir Bitton for McGregor (60): Made initial claim for Celtic’s fourth goal only for Moussa Dembele to get the nod. Tactical late booking as Hapoel broke. 5
Saidy Janko on for Lustig (63): Across well at one point to extinguish a Hapoel counter attack. 5
Moussa Dembele for Rogic (70): Made an almost immediate impact by heading in Celtic’s fourth from Leigh Griffiths’ corner. 6
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