Sorensen and Donovan Awful – Celtic Players Rated and Slated After Benfica Defeat

Celtic were thrashed at the Estadio da Luz by Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday night, as they fell to a 4-1 defeat.

Martin O’Neill’s side were looking to keep things tight early on, but Dane Murray took a swipe at Jhon Duran in the penalty area inside five minutes to concede a penalty, which the Colombian striker chipped down the middle to give the hosts the lead. Benfica then made it 2-0 in the 20th minute as Alexander Bah volleyed home from eight yards out.

Celtic almost pulled one back within minutes as Camilo Duran hit the crossbar with a left-footed strike, but Benfica were dominant throughout the game and made it 3-0 after 35 minutes, with Jhon Duran netting a second through the legs of the goalkeeper.

The visitors pulled one back as Camilo Duran bravely headed past the goalkeeper after a good cross from substitute Haissen Hassan, but Benfica cruised to victory as substitute Vangelis Pavlidis netted a fourt in the 90th minute.

Dane Murray Horror Show

Reuters/Pedro Nunes

Viljami Sinisalo – E

Couldn’t do much about the penalty or the Bah goal, but Duran’s second was one he should have done better with. His performance will have many fans questioning why Sam Johnstone didn’t start.

Colby Donovan – F

The 20-year-old was given the seamless task of marking an in-form Gianluca Prestianni, and he struggled massively. The Argentine winger had his way with him, and Donovan just didn’t look like he had the tools to deal with him at all, while also offering next to nothing going forward.

Dane Murray – E

Had a shocking start to proceedings by needlessly giving away a penalty in the opening five minutes. Things didn’t get better as Duran and Prestianni ran him and the Celtic defence ragged.

Auston Trusty – D

The American defender has become a key player since joining the club, and he showed real leadership on the pitch even when the team looked down and out. Made some vital interventions to stop the result being worse, and looked genuinely annoyed when Duran beat him for the third goal.

Kieran Tierney – C

Tierney is the player in the squad with the most top-level experience in his career, and it showed. Very little went down his side from Benfica, and he was relatively threatening when going forward. Was let down by his teammates.

Callum McGregor – E

The captain was given his usual defensive role in midfield, but he looked way below the level that is usually expected from him. He looked leggy, wasteful in possession, and his main job was to be the motivator on the pitch. Not good enough.

Mika Baur – D

The German midfielder put in a real shift in midfield alongside the captain, but ultimately there was little he could do when the team was so outclassed all over the pitch. Was substituted before the hour because he was exhausted, but he at least looked like he was trying while he was out there.

Camilo Duran – B

Duran has impressed since signing in the summer, and he was the only forward who looked threatening in the game. He hit the crossbar with a good strike in the first-half, but didn’t track back enough and was moved central for the second half where he scored a brave header and hit the post.

Oliver Sorensen – F

It was a big surprise when the team sheet came out and Sorensen was on it ahead of Benjamin Nygren, and his performance showed why. He couldn’t get near the Benfica midfield, and in possession he didn’t offer nearly enough to justify his selection. A poor, poor showing.

Sebastian Tounetki – E

The winger had more work to do going backwards into his own half because of the way the team played, but he did little to help. A poor showing, and he was hooked at half-time as a result.

Kasper Hogh – E

It may be a slightly harsh rating for the Danish striker, considering he was brought off at half-time, but he got little service in the first half and when he did he was unable to do much with the ball. Not his night, or Celtic’s.

Substitutes Make Big Impact

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Callum Osmand – D

The youngster added some energy and enthusiasm on the wing, and he had some chances too. A big chance with 10 minutes left saw him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but instead of rolling it across for Duran to tap it in, he blasted the ball over the bar, which summed up his evening.

Haissem Hassan – C

He may have come on with the game already lost, but the Egyptian was bright off the bench and registered an assist for the goal with a fine cross after good work on the flank.

Benjamin Nygren – D

Barely got a touch of the ball after coming on, but was strong in the 10 minute spell Celtic had where they were on top and had chances to score.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – D

Brought some energy and experience to the midfield after being substituted on, but offered very little on the ball, and made very little impact as a result.

Jordan Lotomba – C

Came on as a late substitute for young Donovan, and was called into action a few times but showed great recovery pace and reading of the game to prevent any more goals from going in.