Manchester City 3-4 Celtic: player ratings from pre-season friendly defeat

Manchester City faced a narrow 4-3 defeat against Celtic in their first pre-season friendly at Kenan Memorial Stadium, North Carolina. Pep Guardiola’s side showcased a mix of experienced players and young talents as they prepared for the 2024/25 season. Here’s how the players fared:

City Player Ratings

• Stefan Ortega: 6/10
  • Had little chance with the three goals conceded. Couldn’t be faulted for Celtic’s scoring.
• Rico Lewis: 6.5/10
  • Displayed a polished performance and looks set for a bigger role next season.
• Jahmai Simpson-Pusey: 6/10
  • Gained valuable experience. Showed potential but will need to improve defensively.
• Luke Mbete: 5.5/10
  • Struggled defensively, particularly with positioning, which led to Celtic’s opener.
• Josh Wilson-Esbrand: 5/10
  • Similar issues as Mbete, with Celtic exploiting City’s left flank. However, Wilson-Esbrand was decent in possession.
• Kalvin Phillips: 4/10
  • A disappointing performance. Struggled with positioning and decision-making before being substituted at halftime.
• Nico O’Reilly: 6.5/10
  • Showed glimpses of quality in his first senior start for City. Has the talent to succeed.
• James McAtee: 6/10
  • A solid display without being outstanding. Contributed well before being substituted.
• Oscar Bobb: 9/10
  • City’s standout player. Scored one goal and assisted on two others, showcasing his potential.
• Jack Grealish: 7/10
  • Appeared fit and motivated, contributing effectively to City’s attacking play.
• Erling Haaland: 7/10
  • Scored and was a constant threat. Could have had more goals with better finishing.

Substitutes

• Ederson: 6/10
  • Limited action and couldn’t do much about the fourth goal.
• Jadel Katongo: 6/10
  • Defended well after coming on in the second half.
• Callum Doyle: 7/10
  • Probably City’s best center-back on the night, providing stability in defense.
• Mahamadou Susoho: 6/10
  • Showed potential after halftime, contributing effectively in midfield.
• Jacob Wright: 6/10
  • Displayed some nice touches and contributed well in his brief appearance.
• Maximo Perrone: 7/10
  • Scored and showed maturity after a loan spell last season. Promising performance.
• Ben Knight: 6/10
  • Had a solid cameo, contributing positively in his limited time.
• Micah Hamilton: 6/10
  • Brought energy and effort after coming on.
• Joel Ndala: 7/10
  • Impressed with his dribbling and set up Haaland’s header. Looked dangerous throughout.

Summary

While the result was disappointing, there were promising signs from Manchester City’s youngsters and some key players. The friendly served as a valuable exercise for Guardiola’s side as they continue their pre-season preparations.