Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Killie Me Softly | OneFootball

SANDMAN’S DEFINITIVE RATINGS: CELTIC v KILLIE ME SOFTLY

Kasper Schmeichel protests after Bobby Wales scores during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

THE FRIENDLY GHOST – 6/10 – Another frustrating game as the Danish Viking Warlord concedes a goal without having a save to make. Risque in a Benny Hill sense with some adventurous passes out his own box, but also notable in the sense of attempting to stimulate the midfield into a counter. Our goal remains tended by the most reliable of custodians AND with the borderline lunacy of the perfect goalkeeping specimen.

GREGGS THE BAKER – 6/10 – He’d be as well running out to Joe Strummer instead of The Celtic Song now, because nobody knows if he’ll stay or go. While he’s here I’ll continue to appreciate the under-appreciated Greggs, probably our most improved player over the last four years. For the opening 45 today he was worthy of the shirt, instrumental in our pressure. But beyond the break there was an odd fade to his overall game, resulting in a series of shoddy plays, misplaced passes and surrender of possession.

WAYNE GRETZKY – 6.5/10 – Strangely subdued, and played with caution when we expected that aggressive positivity. Perhaps due to Killie’s measures against it, but the Kuhn partnership was on ice until we had them stretched later in the game. Even then, he had to pick and choose his moments as the threat of a counter had him wary and reserved in positioning, toughing it out but facilitating the space for Kuhn to run riot.

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the winning goal during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

CRUSTY THE CLOWN – 6.5/10 – Is this a meritocracy or a hypocrite’s folly? ‘Weak as phiss’, if a million amateur lip-readers are to be believed after Tuesday’s shenanigans – cavorting around the backline coked-up like Tony Montana, screaming about saying hello to his ‘leetle fren’ and spraying suicidal gunfire everywhere; even appearing to shoot himself in the foot at one stage which may explain why Stephen Hawking could have out-jumped him trying to prevent their third. So to see him on the teamsheet to start was probably the surprise of the season’s selections to date. Question was, could he redeem himself in a crunch cup-tie in front of the faithful?Answer was, yes, he did – barely a foot wrong or held squealing. For a guy not deserving of his jersey he paid enough tribute to that by making sure he didn’t sell it, and put in a solid display of competence.

GET CARTER – 7/10 – Really? Again? They might be of the same hot dog and Hooters heritage, but the Big Mhan appeared troubled by the prospect of covering his compatriot’s ass (not ‘arse’, they’re Yanks, remember…). However, his too was a bruising, combative shift versus Killie’s robust strike force and merited great praise for 100% focus and stoicism.

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE…

Callum McGregor celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

CALMAC – 7.5/10 – Something wicked this way comes… Well there’s no rest for some and whatever Calmac’s done to warrant being driven into the turf – a thoroughbred worked like a carthorse – then there must be bodies under patios given his never-ending selection. But it’s not his engine that concerns – more like his footballing mojo; a refreshing reset of that baller’s brain to initiate new inventive vigour is what’s good for him and the team. And it should be the management’s call, not his – Calmac will play on his knees for the Hoops and that’s where he’ll end up without careful rationing.

Callum McGregor applauds the support after the 2-1 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup on 18 January 2025 at Celtic Park. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Yet here he was, rejuvenated? Certainly seemed the ‘old’ Calmac was out to play – you will have noticed just how much you sat up and were lit up as he was seen bursting forward, weaving a path, eliciting jhoy at the footballing purity on display; and ending it with a BANG! as he found the net at a distance in early season style once more. Calmac is back, Jack…

Bobby Wales of Kilmarnock scores his side’s goal during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

THE TERMINATOR – 6.5/10 – Another game, another gallus… If gallus was a noun, let alone a word. But that’s what he’s getting and that’s what he’s got. Terrific movement back and forth ahead of Calmac. If you can’t see it, take a refresher course or go watch the rugger-buggers… Well, rugger each other… Not utilised enough, though, but that may come with familiarity; but also not with Reo attempting the same – we need positional clarification there or get exposed as moves break down in confusion. Especially at a higher level. However, if they do synch-up well enough then we have a dynamic proposition on our hands. The bhoy was a handful today; let’s hope the understanding extends well into midweek.

Reo Hatate reacts after a miss during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

HAKUNA HATATE – 7/10 – What will we get today, Reo? Hot or cold? Looked silky, alert, then produced a ‘Dingwall Christie’ from 3 yards out. Moments like that can be pendulum swings, and so it nearly transpired. But as the game drew out, Reo grew – second 45 he was hungry and damaging; nailed his Zinedine Zidane half-turned reception of deep balls, and had us promptly on the front-foot with Killie backtracking furiously. He’s an enigma but when he enigmatises* in our favour, he’s mercury in a jersey.

* This is not actual English, probably, but it sounds flaming right.

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE…

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the winning goal during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

LORD KATSUMOTO – 7/10 – Daizen or duff? Similar to Reo, he looked wired for action, big chance early, great ball on a plate for Kyogo, plenty roving around, basically Daizening. But you await that final ball, the moment; and it looked lost on him today. Then, well, out of nowhere he’s a match-winner just as he appeared spent. Really, we should always expect the Looney Tunes’ jingle and Bugs Bunny presenting an adjusted end caption when the Japanese dynamo is at large – ‘That’s Daizen, Folks…”

Kyogo Furuhashi runs with the ball during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

KILLER MUSHROOM – 6/10 – Are these the end of days? Before our diminutive Gojira departs these emerald shores for the deep wide ocean of planet football once more? Every deft touch, sleight of movement, sweet goal, carries a sigh of inevitability; hearts both lifted and sunk as we realise that may have been the last of him amid the joy of his talent. And how we waited this evening… Uncharacteristic narrow miss at one-on-one, failing by a whisker at other critical moments. Movement sharp, but finishing like Idah on tramadol; did everything but score; worryingly, that’s his biggest attribute…

Nicolas Kühn accidentally collides with Robby McCrorie during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

TAKINTE – 8/10 MOTM – Why? With CL nirvana awaiting just one good performance, why risk the current talisman? Winning, that’s why. And Killie knew it. And toil they did to stifle his influence. Maybe there was a passage of time – short-in Deek’s head where he believed the Kuhn threat was nullified. But not so. True class adjusts, and that he did – forsaking the wide berth, the dazzling wing action; in he came, cutting, chopping them up, skipping, gliding, marauding really… Chaos embodied. All that was missing – like most – was a finish and he had plenty openings. Set up the winner with a sweet insurgence and may have scored four himself but for unusual inaccuracy. That will return. The German Jinky will triumph. Shades MOTM for his inventive early face-lift of former Ibrox fluffer McWhorie.

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE…

HIGHLAND TOFFEE – N/A – Luke who’s missing – a bewildering midweek  sacrifice as the boss hysterically attempted  to substitute anybody who glanced his way  after the hour mark in order to take attention  off his expensive centre-half signing who was  starting wildfires. Sadly underused today but  we’ll see a lot more of him in the months  ahead.

OF JUSTICE – N/A – He’s on! Not from the off – surprisingly… – but late for Greggs, to bring insurance against direct high balls. Had a comfortable  quarter-hour.

SAINT BERNARDO – 6/10 – Shored up the middle well, sitting as a more  defensive ploy to allow Kuhn extra room to  cut in and cut them up.

DUNCAN IDAHO – N/A – A lot to prove and in his few minutes managed  to show sprightly ability beyond previous starts, linking well, led a great 50-yard  break that deserved a goal.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers iat full time during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE…

THE NOTAPRODDYGAL – 7.5/10 – Would he fall on the sword of blunt intransigence  that is his myopic assessment of his own signings’  performances? Yes or no?  Biggest question raised from tonight – is this a meritocracy? Damaging to morale?  Yes AND no. The team selection was a blunt cards-on-the-table  rebuke of such a notion. Whatever delusions you  held about form meriting jersey, let’s hope it was  no shock round Lennoxtown. Idah canned, yes, but  Trusty…

Very much so, the manager nailed his colours to the  mast – whatever the hell that means in football terms (a tricolour on Jamesy’s pride and joy?) – and the favourites  were named. Justified? Ultimately, yes. The performance was good,  faith in his starters was justified, and the result kind to Killie. So he won. Tonight. It’s the fallout that concerns. Let’s hope it doesn’t settle uneasily with the squad  until Wednesday’s come and gone successfully.

Kasper Schmeichel protests after Bobby Wales scores during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

MIBBERY – 5/10 – An exciting prospect – a one-off opportunity to pap the Celts out of a treble. And there were moments of  top-tier heckaboutery as volleyball regulations were  implemented right on half-time to allow a deft palm as an assist; harsh language sufficed instead of regulation yellow cards, and convoluted needless  VAR checks ate up much time and Celtic momentum.  Ultimately though… when will they learn? 4th Round incoming….

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the winning goal during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

OVERALL – 7.5/10 – Saturday tea-time kick-off in a cup-tie versus some  pseudo-Zombie rabids; now that’s a sobriety challenge. Also for the team, it appeared, after forty minutes;  Dundee rinse and repeat as we fail to capitalise on  glorious chances and instead of coasting by four,  we’re sucking bitter oranges (Phil Clementine variety),  level by half-time. Even through that second half, all those opportunities,  opening and closing like Lana Wolf’s thighs, begging that fourth round draw to invite us in…”Hurry up and bury them, fhs…” we bemoaned. It was  just like the Queen’s funeral all over again – Waiting  on edge until it’s done so we can celebrate. But this time, no need for Van Helsing and a stake;  Just a Daizen and a poke and that’s all folks… Thank Ghod.

Reo Hatate shoots at goal during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Always a tricky and treacherous proposition, Killie in the cup. No complaints here for the way the side set about navigating the route through – we pummelled them with great intensity and tempo for the majority  of the match. The only failing tonight was our finishing – on any given day there’s a five or six  skelping in that arsenal.

So to the return of the midweek glamour of the CL and  the game of most magnitude since Tony Watt claimed his generational legacy as Barcaskelper supreme.  We get it right in front of goal, the qualification, the  kudos, and rejoicing is ours.

It’s that simple. And that difficult…

Go Away Now

Sandman

Celtic Pools – Join the Weekly Lottery and support the Celtic Academy. Why not join Celtic Pools for £1 a week with the chance to win up to £25k

More Stories / Latest News

Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Killie Me Softly

Jan 19 2025, 11:14

“He was big, strong, powerful,” Brendan Rodgers praises Auston Trusty

Jan 18 2025, 23:45

Derek McInnes whines about winner after Scottish Cup defeat at Celtic Park

Jan 18 2025, 23:19