Celtic FC vs Dundee United Player Ratings: Rodgers’ Bhoys Dominate in Title-Sealing Win

Celtic secured their record-equalling 55th Scottish Premiership title after defeating Dundee United 5-0 at Celtic Park. With the atmosphere buzzing and silverware within reach, the Celtic stars turned on the style after a slow start, dismantling their opponents with speed and precision.

Pretty much everything Celtic fans wanted from the match was delivered: potent attacking, sturdy defending, and individual brilliance, all while hinting at a bright future under the management of Brendan Rodgers. In this article, we cover the Celtic FC vs Dundee United player ratings and discuss who performed best in the title-clinching fixture.

First Half: From Jitters to Joy

For the first moments of the match Celtic had some pretty bad nerves and touches, which Dundee United was happy to capitalise on. The first opening came from Dundee United in what looked like they were going to start the match with an upset; however, in the 18th minute, the deadlock was broken due to Ryan Strain scoring an own goal after trying to clear a flicked header from Liam Scales.

Second Half Surge

Celtic accelerated their full-throttle sprint. Goals from Idah, a substitute, put the game well beyond reach from Dundee United’s standpoint. While Rodgers’ men kept up an impressive frenzy of high pressing, fighting for duels on every inch of space on the pitch, it was evident why they are the champions once again.

Let’s now dive into the Celtic FC vs Dundee United player ratings, assessing the contributions of each Celtic star.

Celtic FC vs Dundee United Player Ratings

Viljami Sinisalo – 8/10

The young goalkeeper had little to do in terms of shot-stopping but was alert when called upon. His distribution was sharp, and he played a key role in initiating counterattacks. Calm under pressure and confident in possession, Sinisalo looks more than capable of becoming a long-term option for the Hoops.

Alistair Johnston – 8/10

Johnston enjoyed the freedom of Celtic’s attacking dominance. He bombed forward consistently and provided a delightful assist for Idah’s first goal. Defensively, he was solid and rarely troubled. A full-back display that epitomised modern attacking football.

Cameron Carter-Vickers – 7/10

Started a bit shakily, misplacing a few passes and misjudging early long balls. However, he quickly regained composure and kept Dundee United’s attackers at bay. In the second half, he even embarked on a few surprising forward runs, showing his growing confidence.

Liam Scales – 8/10

Arguably one of the most underrated performers this season, Scales was excellent again. His header led to the own goal that broke the deadlock. He was rock solid defensively and calm with the ball at his feet. A leader at the back and a constant aerial threat.

Greg Taylor – 7/10

Consistency seems to be the name of the game for Taylor, and he combined well defensively and offensively once again. In combination with Maeda, they shifted the balance on the left side of the pitch and had a few goal opportunities placed during the match.

Midfield Mastery

Callum McGregor (c) – 7/10

As always, McGregor was the heartbeat of the midfield. He controlled the tempo, dictated the passing rhythm, and ensured Celtic always had a passing option. Substituted at halftime to protect him for upcoming matches, but his leadership and energy were key in the first 45.

Arne Engels – 7/10

Engels’ set-piece deliveries were pinpoint, including the one that led to the opener. He hustled in midfield, broke up play, and transitioned the ball quickly. A solid performance that highlighted his technical ability and tactical understanding.

Rio Hatate – 7/10

The Japanese midfielder was bursting with creativity and style. Several times, his tight-space passing unlocked Dundee’s defence, and he came awfully close to making Idah score with a great assist. A little too much going forward but was full of energy and highly active on the pitch.

Forward Brilliance

Nicolas Kuhn – 9/10

The standout performer in the Celtic FC vs Dundee United player ratings. Kuhn responded to recent criticism with a sensational display, scoring two goals and assisting another. His timing, positioning, and finishing were all top-notch. His outside-the-boot pass for the fourth goal showcased his flair and vision.

Daizen Maeda – 9/10

A whirlwind of energy down the left wing, Maeda contributed two assists and kept Dundee United’s defence on their heels throughout. His crosses were dangerous, his pressing relentless, and his decision-making vastly improved. A complete winger’s performance.

Jota – 6/10

Though not on the scoresheet, Jota was involved in the build-up to the first goal and applied pressure that forced the own goal. Sadly, his afternoon ended with a worrying injury that saw him leave in a knee brace. A potential setback for Celtic as they head into cup fixtures.

Impact Substitutes

Adam Idah – 9/10

A textbook example of a “super-sub” performance. Idah came on and scored two smartly taken goals, demonstrating composure, pace, and movement. He was a constant nuisance to Dundee United’s tiring defence and added a real cutting edge.

Matt O’Riley – 8/10

Came off the bench and immediately added zip to Celtic’s midfield. Picked up an assist and dictated play in the final third. Continues to be one of Rodgers’ most dependable midfielders.

Yang Hyunjun – 7/10

Brought freshness and directness down the right wing. Linked well with Johnston and delivered a few teasing crosses. Still raw but shows promise.

Kyogo Furuhashi – 6/10

Had limited time to influence the game but showed sharp movement and a willingness to get into the box. Kept defenders honest late in the game.

Stephen Welsh, Anthony Ralston, Luis Palma – 6/10

Solid cameos without too much involvement. Helped maintain defensive shape and keep a clean sheet.

Dundee United: Brief Player Ratings

Despite the heavy defeat, a few Dundee United players did attempt to stem the tide. Ryan Strain was unlucky with the own goal but looked lively early on. Beck and Robertson showed moments of quality, while goalkeeper Trevor Carson made several good saves to keep the scoreline from becoming even more embarrassing.

Final Verdict: Champions in Every Sense

These player ratings highlight the total dominance of Dundee United that was enabled by the Rodgers. This showed that every Celtic player puts on a stylish and ruthlessly masterful display, which shows the best bits of Ian Wright’s Celtic team: High pressing, brimming with technical quality, good tactical rigidness, and defined cutting finishing.

Now that the title is safely stored, focus flips to the domestics and looking eight steps ahead to next year’s Champions League. If their performance stays on the trajectory of what we’ve seen so far, Celtic will be a force to be reckoned with in every aspect.

It’s no longer about winning a title — for the Bhoys, it’s about sending a message as well. This Celtic FC vs Dundee United match shows us they are incredibly full of talent, togetherness, and an unquenchable thirst for success.