Two West Ham stars and one Celtic player have been named in WhoScored.com’s Europa League group stage best XI.
West Ham lost their final match in Group H 1-0 to Dinamo Zagreb at the London Stadium on Thursday but they had already secured progression to the Last 16 as group winners.
Meanwhile, Celtic defeated high-flying La Liga side Real Betis 3-2 at Parkhead, but it had already been confirmed that they would be dropping down to the Europa Conference League in the new year.
Despite their contrasting fortunes in the competition, both sides have representatives in WhoScored’s XI.
West Ham and Celtic stars feature in Europa League best XI
Neither of West Ham’s representatives played in their final two group matches, but Aaron Cresswell and Declan Rice were key to their success in earlier matchdays.
Cresswell started the first four matches and contributed to three clean sheets while also notching an impressive three assists.
As a holding midfielder, Rice also deserves some credit for the strong defensive record, while he scored against both Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Vienna in the opening two matchdays.
Cresswell received an average rating of 7.4, while Rice’s was slightly higher at 7.6.
Celtic’s representative is right-back Anthony Ralston, whose average rating was 7.0.
The 23-year-old played in five of the Hoops’ six matches, lasting the full 90 minutes on each occasion.
He contributed to one clean sheet and bagged a goal away at Betis on matchday one.
It’s back to domestic duty for both clubs this weekend, with the Hammers travelling to Burnley and Celtic hosting Motherwell.
In other news, Joe and Carlton Cole have questioned a West Ham star’s attitude after a moment against Dinamo.
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