Celtic Stock Market: Klimala fails to take chance but Kris Ajer continues to impress

There was nothing flashy to their performance in John Kennedy's first game in interim charge since Neil Lennon's departure. They scored. They didn't concede. That really has been the be-all, end-all for the Hoops in recent weeks considering their awful season.

Defensively they were sound enough. The Dons did have their chances and perhaps should have taken at least one of them, but the all important three points stayed in Glasgow.

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Here at Glasgow Times Sport, we've taken a close look at whose stock has risen this week after a win and whose has dropped.

UP: 

1. Kris Ajer

The defender has been one of Celtic's most consistent performers this season, even in a difficult campaign. He has been played out of position at times, with right-back taking up some of his time before the introduction of Jonjoe Kenny.

But alongside Stephen Welsh at centre-half, the Norwegian seems to have forged a decent partnership where perhaps there may have been question marks. After Christopher Jullien was ruled out for a lengthy spell, there would have been doubts over Celtic's strength at centre-back. But Ajer has proven time and time again that he can do the business when called upon. 

He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time against Dons last weekend and made some vital clearances at big moments. He wins his headers, is not afraid to get stuck in and you can see the passion he still has for the club despite falling on hard times. Part of the SPFL's team of the weekend, his stock goes up at Parkhead this week.

2. Odsonne Edouard

If you ask the striker about his performance last weekend, he may well have been somewhat dissatisfied. The midfield behind him didn't necessarily create too much and, as has been the case so often this season, the full-backs were not at their best.

Still Edouard managed to get himself on the score sheet and net what proved to be the winner. A deflection could not take the shine off the strike and the three points.  His hold-up play is improving every week and his ability to introduce the midfield into Celtic attacks is an underrated skill the player has in his locker.

What Edouard might be a tad disappointed in himself over, though, was his failure to play in Ismaila Soro at the death to wrap up the victory. The pair were all smiles at the end having won the game, but you can be certain that would not have been the case had they failed.

3. Scott Bain

The goalkeeper position at Parkhead has been much talked about and seriously scrutinised. But Scott Bain, it seems anyway, has nailed down the number one spot as his own.

His save in the first-half against Dons to keep out Ash Taylor was spectacular and he commanded his box this week. Was relieved to see another effort come crashing back off his crossbar just before his flying stop, but Bain is definitely John Kennedy's top pick for goalie after Vasilis Barkas failed to make the bench again.

DOWN: 

1. Patryk Klimala

Given an opportunity to show exactly what he is capable of beside Edouard but failed to provide any spark for his side. Right-back Kenny put the ball on a plate for the Polish hitman in the second-half but he couldn't make proper contact within the six-yard box. It was the exact type of cross ball we - and the strikers - have been waiting for all season from their full-backs, but Klimala blew it.

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The opportunity to impress Kennedy perhaps put too much pressure on Klimala after failing to break in under Neil Lennon. He was eventually subbed but you have to wonder if Kennedy will give him another chance from the start moving forward.

2. Diego Laxalt

Laxalt just hasn't worked out for Celtic. At the beginning of his loan he looked a tidy signing but as the season has gone on, supporters have found themselves hoping Greg Taylor's fitness issues are not as bad as first feared.

His crossing at times has been woeful this term and he seems to prefer passing the ball inside to his centre-halves or the likes of Scott Brown and Callum McGregor. That's not really what a Celtic wide player should be doing and it is costing his side opportunities.

3. Vasilis Barkas

It says a lot that a goalkeeper who did not even feature on the bench this weekend is among those whose stock has plummeted. It's the curious case of Barkas for supporters who have not taken the stopper into their hearts, yet.

Will that ever happen? That remains to be seen. It's difficult to know whether the Greek is injured. In fact, there has been no mention of any injury ruling him out of action. And having cost the club £5million in the summer you'd expect Barkas to be fit and raring to go, not dropped for rookie Conor Hazard.

That's no harm to Hazard. And it is also difficult not to take into consideration the fact that Barkas has, in the midst of a global pandemic, had to adapt and acclimatise to new surroundings without his family. And with a lack of form, heading home alone to sit with his own thoughts must be hellish.

It's the nature of the beast, in football, sadly. Players are judged quickly and harshly. But if Barkas had shown anything before sitting out the last few games, it may have been tougher to write him off.