Well a month has passed since the last report card and in that time we have played 6 games, winning all but 2, with a draw in the Europa League to Rennes and a draw at Hibs in the league.
The form has been excellent, and has given us a lead at the top of the league and in a good position in Europe.
We are also in a cup semi final.
There have been some stand out performances this month and some who have been a bit under par, so let’s have a look at who got the pass marks and who really need to work harder.
Craig Gordon
So far in September Gordon has found it hard getting game time with Foster putting in some real strong performances, although he did get his one appearance on September during the Partick Thistle Cup game, where he was not really tested as much with the level of opposition, but 1 appearance and a clean sheet, gets pass marks for the month, but not much more with such little game time
Grade – C+
Fraser Forster
Picked for 5 out of the 6 games on September, and conceded 3 goals in those 6 games, distribution looks very good, and big Forster he looks very confident between the sticks.
He could have done better for the Killie goal but the defence should not have let the player take the shot. But if not for a great penalty save he could have had 4 goals against him in Sept. It assured that we kept our 2 goal lead. A very strong month with not much to complain about.
Grade – A
Jeremie Frimpong
A debut for Jeremie in September against Partick Thistle where this young boy absolutely tore up the right wing with incredible pace.
Yes it’s only one game, but one where he played nearly 80 mins and at full time was presented with the man of the match bottle.
Can’t ask for much more from a debut and with his age, does not look one just for the future but one for the now.
Grade – B+
Hatem Abd Elhamed
Played most of the games this month, although he had one in the centre of defence instead of on the right.
Looks very confident and proving to be a real shrewd buy from Lennon.
I have been very impressed with his style of play, looks very strong and not easily pushed off the ball, and looks decent going further up the pitch
Grade – B+
Kristoffer Ajer
One of my fave players but September may be a month to forget for Ajer, with conceding the penalty in France that meant we only got a draw agaisnt Rennes and then scoring the own goal that ensured a draw against Hibernian at the end of the month.
There is an argument that we should possibly rest Ajer a bit more but he needs to learn to stay on his feet than go to ground too easily.
He sometimes gets silly bookings.
Although we all love the chest beating, passionate player who gives it his all in games, he might have to reign that in. At his age I’d hope that would come in time.
Here’s hoping October is a better month.
*Extra note – My girlfriend is really not happy with my grade and said he should get a B+ minimum every month..
Grade – C
Moritz Bauer
Introduced himself to Scottish football in the Glasgow Derby by getting kicked out the park to get Jordan Jones red carded … and which resulted in Jones injuring himself.
Really endearing himself to the fans and even in the interviewers by being able to translate for the players.
Has played a further 2 games in September and done pretty well but still looks in need of more game time and to become accustomed to the Scottish game, but knowing he has Elhamed in front of him has already placed the marker for the right back role.
He knows his work will be cut out for him, but he’s up for it.
Grade – B
Christopher Julien
Has really been showing his quality and proving he was more than worth the £7 million paid for him.
A real solid central defender that has also become a fan favourite with the way he conducts himself in interviews, has played 5 out of the 6 games on Sept and has really made his mark at the centre of defence giving Ajer a bit of experience and confidence at the back.
If he continues on his form he will become one of this season’s top buys
Grade – A
Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo
Boli still seems to be dividing some of the fans in September, whenever we have a slightly poor result many fans seem to turn on him when he has not been any worse than the rest of the team. He has played in 5 of the 6 games in September, and in some of the games there is some quality from him, but also some deficiencies showing too, like some slack passing and some poor touches.
There could be an argument that he is still trying to settle into life in Glasgow, but it’s been an OK month for him and I feel he has got a lot more to show going forward.
Grade – B
Jack Hendry
Came on late on during Partick Thistle game.
Kicked the ball.
Didn’t cause a goal.
Pass marks for not being awful
Grade – C
Scott Brown
It does seem in the big games Broony brings his A game, like against Sevco and against Rennes, altho he has shown that his pace has dropped and has made a few clumsy tackles that have already caused us some penalties.
It does seem we need to look to limit his game time and really looks at a replacement for him going forward which is a big prescience to replace
Grade – B-
Nir Bitton
Brought in at the centre of defence against Sevco at ibrox at the start of rhe month, made some top quality long passes and was solid enough at the back.
Being used as more a utility player but more than proving his quality in September and showing when called upon he will do a job
Grade – B
Callum McGregor
One of our top talents, but some feel like he may be starting to dip with having played all the games in September including 2 games for Scotland..
It does feel as if his form is dipping and could do with a rest.
Or it could be that maybe he is not being utilised by Lennon in the position where he was familiar under the former manager.
In September there was no stand out performances from Callum, but there was some rumblings from fans who felt his form dipped.
I do hope from next month we can find a way to get his form back, but even off form he’s still one of the best midfielders in the country.
Grade – B
James Forrest
Looked a little leggy in the Glasgow Derby and was taken off on the hour mark, then proceeded to score the goal in the first game back from international break against Hamilton.
Has had a decent month, not been on top form but still some quality performances in September, playing in 5 out of the 6 games.
Grade – B+
Olivier Ntcham
Scoring 2 of his finest goals this season against Partick Thistle in the cup, but then being sort of forced into the squad by having to push Christie out on the wing.
Ntcham really shows he has quality, but also has times of lack of concentration.
If Brown or McGregor are to be dropped then Ntcham would be the perfect player to step in this season, and he can also bring a different dimension to the game
Grade – B
Ryan Christie
Ryan has settled very well into the 10 role, however he seems to be playing very much box to box and putting needed tackles in.
In spite of this, he’s keeping up his great form, although he was not as free scoring as in August.
Nevertheless, he has still proved to be a very pivotal player within the team.
At the end of the month it Lennon pushed Christie out wide in favour of Ntcham playing on the more central role. This for me is trying to fit too many similar players onto the park. It’s just my own opinion but I think it is best to have a left winger on instead of pushing Christie out wide.
Grade – A
Lewis Morgan
Another month where Lewis has not been able to shine.
Given a run out against Partick Thistle, where many fans would be forgiven for forgetting he was even playing.
Did not really show any flashes of skill or give the manager food for thought on going forward.
It really is becoming like I said last month; he could be the next Scott Allen.
Grade – D
Tom Rogic
Coming back from another injury/international football, he scored a goal against Partick Thistle.
He looks like he is building up his game time when he can and it would be great to get the Rogic pre injuries, as he we need to have cover for Christie.
Rogic hasn’t really had a chance to set the heather alight this month but here’s hoping he can kick on from this.
Grade – C+
Johnny “The Skelper” Hayes
For September he was brought on with 6 minutes to go at the Glasgow Derby with us being a goal up, where he was meant to tighten up the back line.
But he decided that he’d rather come on and smash a goal against Sevco like a boss…
All hail Skelper Hayes!
And if you thought that would be his only highlight of September … well he put in that one quality tackle against Rennes that drew comparisons to Simunovic’s famous tackle on Miller.
An absolutely cracking tackle.
Used more as a utility player but is proving why the fans have a song for him.
Grade – B+
Scott Sinclair
Brought on against Partick Thistle to score the 5th goal to remind the fans of what he can do..
And hopefully the manager got it too.
For me Sinclair should be in and around the squad and in no way deserves to be below the pecking order under Morgan.
With what little game time he has had, he stepped up and scored.
Not much more he can do.
Grade – B
Michael “Mikey” Johnston
From having a great run in August to only being used in the Glasgow Derby and taken off with 6 minutes left, at least this time he managed to play in one of these games where we won and showed that he is deserving of a place in these types of games.
Through September he has had some injury niggles and was thus displaced by Elyanoussi.
He’s back in training and October is a big month.
Grade – B
Mohamed Elyounoussi
Brought in as an attacking winger, who I’m all honesty has not done too much yet apart from set up Forrest’s goal against Hamilton.
This could be a case of a player who may need time to settle in or get used to the Scottish game, as Mohamed did come with a lot of hype and in my view has not really impressed too much yet.
For me if it’s a choice between Eyounoussi and Mikey I’d be picking Mikey at the moment.
Grade – C
Vakoun Issouf Bayo
Still struggling to get more game time with the form of Edouard, but managed to grab the opening goal against Partick Thistle (although we are still awaiting Levein lodging an appeal to claim a Hearts own goal) I actually think Bayo is showing some nice flashes of skill and could be a surpsie package for us.
Plus, it gives Celtic a different dimension with a bit of height and power in the air.
I’d be looking for him to get more game time.
I also have to mention the absolutely ridiculous red card against Rennes with the keeper making out he had been shot by a sniper with the most minimum of contact and the ref waving play on then letting the keeper and Rennes fans making his decision.
I’d have given a higher mark but getting the ridiculous red has brought the grade down a bit.
Grade – B-
Odsonne Edouard
The most ridiculous thing about September has been the apparent debate about who is the best striker in Scotland at the moment..
When you put Edouard up against any of the forwards of the newest football team in the Premiership then you really have to laugh.
In September Edouard has been on very good form and scoring when needed, but his real talent is being around the box and bringing players into scoring positions, a real asset to the team and even adding in a cracking headed goal against Kilmarnock.
Grade – A
Neil Lennon
From the highs of the start of the month to the lows at the end of the month.
September was a month where for about 99% of the month all the fans were singing off the same hymn sheet where most were agreeing they were so happy to be proved wrong with how well Lennon was doing, from beating Sevco at Ibrox, to getting a draw against Rennes in France, to even being unbeaten at the end.
But a draw at Easter Road seems to have soured some fans where they have turned quicker than a jug of milk left out in a hot summers day.
Now whether that is justified or not can be a debate for another day, but in the month of September it was all very positive.
For me there is not much to pick at this month when you consider dealing with the players coming back from international break too.
Maybe there are some questions over pushing Christie out to the wing to force Ntcham into the team and possibly not giving a break to McGregor.
But it’s hard to complain after a very strong set of results.
Grade – A
Transfer Extra: The Board
From an F in August we have actually been able to judge most of the players that were brought in and those who were finally signed, and we some real good potential on show.
We brought in the likes of Frimpong, O’Connell and Taylor to bring some youth and potential talent at the back line where we were screaming out for some new players, and now we have a strong back line with good backup.
This is all good, if not a little frustrating that we couldn’t do these deals sooner.
Maybe if we had we would still be in Champions League.
Nevertheless, we are where we are and we need to take the challenges that come ahead.
Above pass marks but not a top rating for the simple fact of timing.
Grade – B+
Ross McAtasney is a Celtic blogger and fan from Glasgow. This is his second report card.
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