MATCH REPORT: ST JOHNSTONE 1 CELTIC 4

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:. Decided to prop myself up in bed, forgoe the game on the box and watch it later . It was the best BBC radio commentary I've heard for a long time.



BORUC ….…….5 His automatic inclusion must be in quetion after another 'Calamity Jane' moment in the second.

HINKEL.... …5 Another player who is due a rest. The sparkle has gone recently.

O'DEA....….…6 Captain for the day and played steadily.

LOOVENS.…. …4 Had to be taken off injured earl in the game.

THOMPSON …….6 Kept to the art of simple defending but still found time to get an assist for Sammi's goal. The other positive aspect was that there were no signs of the very slow which had displayed l.w.

McGEADY …. …7 Must have covered more ground than any other player. Didn't rec. much protection from the ref

CROSAS………...7 The benefit of being on the longest run of starts since he came to Celtic is so obvious to see. His composure, his passing.

ZHI. ...…………5 He'll be the one to make way for N'GUEMO.

MAGINN........5 Made little impact.

FORTUNE…….... 9 MOM This was the type of display we have been hopeful of him producing! He was strong, forceful good control and powerful shooting. Celtic have been missing the 'rocket' shot and fortune has clearly highlighted that it's an impressive part of his repeitoire.

SAMARAS.... …..8 Of course he can frustrate but his work ethic has improved dramatically. The aspect the pleased me the most was him 'putting his foot through the ball when he scored.




SUBS

CADDIS…………. 6 I'd give him a run at right back to see if his natural vigour and skill would add that little bit extra to the role.

McGOWAN ……….6 Was another of the young players who brought vitality and a 'never say die' attitude to the game.

McCOURT …... 8 What are we going to do with him? His skill is sublime, his shooting top quality and his entertainment value would win him an Oscar.




REF…………. (COLUMN) 7

THE GAME ……8 The first half was pretty poor but the second just blew one away. This performance happened at the perfect moment. For weeks we have been complaining of lack of leadership and fight and then we see the difference of what can happen when all 11 players show those qualities


COMMENTS ….. 1. Last week I mentioned that a good performance at Perth might well just be the springboard Celtic require to win the Championship......the Hibs game takes on a huge importance just to keep the momentum rolling.

MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 1 Falkirk 1

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:. Celtic played the corresponding game back in Aug 2008 when a sparkling performance from Maloney, who made his first re-appearance as a substitute, set Samaras up for 2 goals and brought a style of play which I am excitedly hoping to watch to-day. Celtic 4 - 0. In 2007 McGeady scored a hat-trick so he might well be to-days star man?



BORUC ….…….5 I'm beginning to despair if Boruc ever putting to-gether a run of clean sheets. If I was rating over this season and last season I would probably rate him as "average" It would not worry me if Zaluska was preferred to him at the moment.

HINKEL.... ….. 4 Thought he started shakily and did not improve as the game went on. He was sone of many whose lack of physicality was so obvious t-day.

O'DEA....….…. 3 Those supporters who have shouted for his inclusion as a first pick now know the answer! The Reading Manager spotted it early and hardly played him. At the Falkirk goal he was just brushed aside.

McMANUS…. …4 Luckily for him he had to go off injured and was spared any more of showing us how far his standards have fallen.

NAYLOR …….….3 My heart dropped when I learned he was in the team The heart never lies! How this guy is still on our books is beyond me.

McGEADY …. …..4 Picked the wrong day to believe all the recent hype re. his value. On to-day's showing you would bite someone's hand off for 5m. Even when he decided to pass the ball (which wasn't often) he failed.

CROSAS………..5 Was played in a more forward position position which did not really suit his natural game. He's not quick and has problems getting back if he is caught out.

ZHI. ...………… 6 One of only 2 players to enhance their reputations. He was calm and tried to get forward as much as possible. should be given a run.

KI........ ……… 7 MOM For a young 20 year old to to show that he will be able to hold his own in such a disjointed team bodes well for the future. Was unlucky with a good free kick.

FORTUNE…….. 4 Missed an open goal and did very little else to suggest that he could be played up front. No physical impact at all.

SAMARAS.... …..5 He scored a good goal when for once he struck a shot with power but for the rest of the game he was the 'namby pamby' we see too often.




SUBS

THOMPSON…………. 5 Did better than either of his senior central defenders and is too young to really judge but a worrying lack of pace.

McGINN ………. 4 Failed to have any real impact

McCOURT …... 5 Pity he had not come on earlier as he might well have been the catalyst for breaking down the defence.




REF…………. () 3 Was completely conned by the time wasting tactics of Falkirk and never gave one 50/50 decision to Celtic.

THE GAME ……3 Just awful. Rating: 4.6 (the two games against the bottom team in the league have produced the two worst performances). Possession: 58%

COMMENTS ….. 1. Celtic are now 4pts worse off having played the same teams and are 9pts behind a team that is 30m+ in financial trouble, have not been able to sign any new players for nearly 2 yrs, play badly and win! One has to ask is the Board's infamous financial prudence paying dividends?..........................I think not!

2.TM was interviewed before the game and said " we will not make excuses because of injuries, etc". In his aftermath interview he just went on and on about the missing players! Does he inspire in his interviews?.............NO! Does he inspire the players?............I doubt it! Does he inspire the fans? ...................NO!

3. We have one of the least physical teams I've seen in a Celtic strip for many a year. We will probably win the Fair Play trophy this season!

4. An "interesting game"....................I think not!

5. Celtic may still win the League but it will only come about by our rivals failing rather than Celtic being so dominant.

CELTIC 1 RANGERS 1

PRE – MATCH COMMENT: Last year when Rangers came to Paradise they left with all 3 pts, surely Celtic cannot play so badly again?

BORUC................6 Only had one real save to make and unfortunately he didn't make it!

HINKEL..................7 Was back to his attacking style and sent over a couple of very good crosses. Was lucky to finish the game being able to stand after an atrocious tackle by Thuggery.

LOOVENS.............. 6 Was firm in the air and good in the tackle but when he has the ball at his feet he's a nervous wreck.

CALDWELL............. 7 In what is probably his last game for Celtic he snuffed Boyd out of the game and sprayed some good passes around. Could he have done better at their goal? Haven't seen the replay yet.

FOX............................ 7 In his first Rangers game he showed that he can defend in a forceful and physical way. Completely dominated his side of the field.

N'GUEMO.................8 MOM Another fine game from the on loan player. Never shirked a tackle and was involved in a lot of great one touch passing moves. According to my marks he has been Celtic's most consistent player this season after Aiden.

CROSAS.................6 A few people thought he might not have the physicality to perform well in a Rangers game but he showed that having class is the most important thing. I thought that Celtic lost a bit of composure when he went off.

McGEADY..............8 If only he had taken one of the two good chances he had he would have had a 10 for to-days performance. None of the Rangers players could shackle him and he made McDonald's goal.

ROBSON...............7 Played out on the wing, which is not his strongest position, and played well. He epitomised the character shown by Celtic to-day.

FORTUNE............7 Always a threat to the Ranger's defence but not unfortunately to McGregor.

SAMARAS.......... 7 In the first half he was unplayable and if only he had taken a couple of his chances he would have been a contender for MOM.

SUBS...................

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McDONALD........... 7 Thought it was the correct decision to have him on the bench as he seems to do very well coming on as a sub. Took his goal well and played very brightly.

REF ..................(Conroy) 4 He only had two major decisions to make (Fortune and 'Thuggery') and he got both of then wrong.

RATING: Quality: 6.9 (l.y. 4.9). This is the highest rating this season and last season's game was one the lowest.

POSSESSION: 56%

COMMENTS:1. I know there will be a lot of supporters complaining about our inability to convert more chance but ,whilst I left disappointed about the result, I thought that Celtic dominated Rangers both in skill ability and in commitment and desire. The future IS bright!

2. The reaction to Boruc's traditional blessing of himself has always left me amused so I wonder how they will react to Fortune's 'Novena' just before the Huddle?

3. There wasn't a failure to-day and, with the potential of yet more strengthening by bringing in new players and giving ZZ, Brown, Maloney, the Korean guy, McGinn, McCourt, etc. the chance to make their mark, if this level of performance continues the Championship should be back home at the end of the season.

4. Yet another refereeing decision has a major impact on a game but hey, they all even out over the season.............don't they?

CELTIC 2 HAMILTON 0

PRE – MATCH COMMENT: A clean sheet and 4 goals ................not a lot to ask!

BORUC................6 Only had one save to make and he made it, ergo, a clean sheet.

HINKEL..................5 Had a couple of good attacking runs but he still makes me nervous when a good bit of defending is required.

LOOVENS.............. 6 What a sweetly struck goal, if only he would strike his passes just as sweetly.

McMANUS............. 6 The sharpest I've seen him this season but I would still transfer him due to his lack of composure on the ball.

FOX......................... 5 A couple of good free crosses and a well struck free kick are not enough to make up for his defensive frailties.

N'GUEMO...............7 MOM Was constantly breaking up moves and surging forward. A little bit more composure when he's near the penalty area would be an important addition to his all round game.

CROSAS.................6 Quietly effective in the way he makes himself available to take a pass and then clinically dispatches it.

McGEADY..............7 He's rediscovered that burst of pace and although he did not get a goal or an assist he was still our most talented player.

ROBSON...............5 Can't fault his effort but his lack of composure on the ball was best highlighted when he sclaffed a shot when in a very good scoring position.

McDONALD............6 A better first touch was in evidence and he took up some good scoring positions but was not rewarded with a pass.

SAMARAS............... 5 His full repetoire of skills were on view but unfortunately so was his ego and selfishness.

SUBS..................

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FORTUNE........ 6 Would like to see him start up front with Sammi.

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McGINN........... 6 He's fast, he's direct and he scored a great goal.

ZING................. 5 Not on for long but showed one delightful bit of skill which should have brought him a goal.

REF ..................() 6

RATING: Quality: 5.8 (l.y. 5.3 ICT)

POSSESSION: 56%

COMMENTS:1. Once again the supporters were nervous wrecks in a game they dominated until the second goal.

2. Once again Celtic come up against a goalkeeper who plays out of his skin whilst rangers come up against one who has his worst game of the season.

3. Celtic play Kilmarnock on Wed. and in the corresponding game l.y. the score was 3 - 1 in Celtic's favour with McGeady scoring and winning MOM. Let's hope for a repeat.

4. The crowd was possibly the lowest I've seen at a SPL game since Fergus arrived.

5. The transfer season will soon be on us and I hope the powers that be realise that the number on the first team squad need to be culled or that the quality needs improving. This is what I would do:

BORUC.......................... Sell or no less than 6m

BROWN ....................... If only on loan at Killie I would sell for .5m

CALDWELL................ Sell for 1m

CONROY .................... Sell for 250k

FLOOD .......................... Sell for 300k

KILLEN ......................... Sell for 1m (playing in World Cup)

McDONALD ................. Sell for 3m+

McGOWAN .................. Sell for 300k+

McMANUS .................. Sell for 1.5m+

MIZUNO ...................... Sell for 500k

NAYLOR .................... Sell for 500k+

WILSON .................... Sell for 750k

There you have it! 12 players off the books realising approx 15m and saving approx 25m in wages. Bring in a good quality big striker, a quality big central defender and a quality left back and add in Zheng Zhi, Brown, Maloney, O'Dea and Ki Sung Yueng for a better quality squad for less money...........................you know it makes sense!

Hope you all had a very Happy Christmas.

HEARTS 2 CELTIC 1

PRE – MATCH COMMENT: Last year Celtic secured a 2 - 0 victory with an encouraging performance and t.y. it's important to repeat the feat. Rangers have found a new determination and 3pts are very important.

BORUC................6 Had no chance with either goal but his distribution was poor to-day. I don't feel he's come back in top form. Another game, another no clean sheet.

HINKEL..................5 Felt his lack of defending awareness was again highlighted for Hearts winning goal.

LOOVENS................4 What he was thinking about when he failed to clear his lines instead of letting the ball into the penalty box, heaven only knows. I doubt if he made a composed pass out of defence.

CALDWELL............. 4 He was always going to be dicing with death when he decided to make a tackle from behind in the box. I think he might have been unlucky but it was rash.

FOX......................... 6 Steady enough and did try to force forward whenever he could.

N'GUEMO...............7 Played well both in an attacking sense and after Celtic went down to 10 men when the defensive side of his game came into play.

CROSAS...................6 Was substituted after Caldwell was sent off but up until then he was showing his ability in the constructive aspect of the game.

McGEADY..............8 MOM He never allowed the threat of a yellow card to put him off his game. was a constant threat to Hearts with his aggressive attacking drives and was unlucky not to score with a great run and shot.

ROBSON............. ....6 He brings a physical side to the team and that has it worth but his lack of creativity will, I think, relegate him to the bench when the Korean arrives (also McGinn, Zeng, Brown).

McDONALD..............7 Was unlucky not to score when his header came off the post and then set up Samaras with a glorious chance.

SAMARAS................. 7 Missed a great chance to score in the second half but he did keep his goal a game run going. Thought he showed a lot of skill and commitment.

SUBS..................

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FORTUNE........ 6 Was involved after replacing McDonald and was unlucky not to score.

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McGINN........... 5 Was not on for long enough

McMANUS........... 6 Came on when Caldwell was redcarded and played steadily but he has lost his confidence in his own ability and so have the fans.

REF ..................(Tumilty) 6 Cannot criticise him for the penalty award but he should certainly have booked Concalves for his retribution on Samaras.

RATING: Quality: 5.8 (l.y. 5.7)

POSSESSION: 46% I get these figs from the BBC site but I have my doubts about their accuracy.

COMMENTS:1. We lost and that's a big blow but this was a good performance by Celtic both before the sending off and certainly after it. Celtic had 9 shots on target whilst Hearts had only 3!

2. I don't know of another team in the SPL which makes so many defensive mistakes that are punished as they are.

3. Celtic are now 3pts worse off than l.y. in the corresponding games.