MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 3 GRETNA 0

PRE-MATCH COMMENT Delighted that Artur was back in goals and really looking fwd to seeing what sort of performance Riordan could give from the start.

BORUC ….…….7 MOM Kept Celtic in the game in the first 20 mins with two very good stops and he performed as though he had never been away.

CALDWELL ….. 6 His first half performance was riddled with mistakes and indecisiveness but he went on to give a solid last 45 mins highlighted by a great goal line clearance.

BOBO………….. 7 First appearance back at C.P. for over a year was marked with a couple of Boboesque type mistakes but overall he performed well and had a wonderful turn of foot in the second half to bamboozle a Gretna player out on the wing. The crowd loved it.

McMANUS…. ….7 Back to more like his solid self.

NAYLOR….….….5 Had an awful first 45 mins but found a new zeal after the half-time talk.

RIORDAN…. …..5. Will be very disappointed that he did not make more of the opportunity to impress and although he had one or two good attempts on goal, he will not have put himself in the frame for a start against Rangers. I had a good view of him storming up the tunnel and kicking the wall when he was subbed but I’m sure it was out of frustration rather than dissent.

DONATI..…. ….. 5 In the first half he was the only player to recognise the importance of the quick forward pass but the longer the game went on the less effective he became.

BROWN …….. . 7 Played in his natural position and again put in a lot of effort. His reward was finishing of a good move by striking a great shot from outside the box into the far corner. Spoiled his performance slightly by committing a silly foul to earn a yellow card.

McGEADY …… 7 Was up against a good full back and things were just not coming off for him but, he never gave up, and became more effective when he moved to the left wing.

JVOH ………… 6 Managed to flick the ball on to set up McGeady, who then fed McDonald, and put a lot more effort into the game.

McDONALD ……6 Took his goal very well but, that apart, really had very little contribution.

SUBS ………….1. HARTLEY …… 6 Was unlucky to see a great header come off the bar.

2. SNO…………….. 5

REF…………. (Summer) 4 A small, pernickety, little man who refused to allow the game to flow.

THE GAME ……5 Credit to Gretna who did not set out 11 men behind the ball but it was a pretty poor first half.

GOALS ………. 1st The only good move of the first half and McDonald deserves credit for coolly taking the chance after being set up by McGeady.
2nd A good move culminating in a rasper from Brown.
3rd A typical cut in and shot by McGeady.

COMMENTS ….. 1. G.S. will earn his salary by selecting the right team, playing to the correct tactics if there is to be a good chance of winning the Jan 2nd game.
2. The Hinkel deal has not been officially confirmed as yet but what a difference a natural, attacking wing back will make.
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