MATCH REPORT: KILMARNOCK 1  CELTIC 5 

PRE-MATCH COMMENT It’s amazing what difference a week makes! Last week I went to Falkirk not expecting to see much football but praying for 3 points and this weekend I travel to Kilmarnock full of excitement and expectation.

BORUC ….…….7 Had little to do but everything that he did do had the stamp of a real proffessional.

CADDIS... ….. 7 Felt so pleased with this young man’s debut starting performance. He himself had suffered the jinx of the right back position and yet he stepped right in and showed nothing but speed, confidence and ability. Pity Hinkel has been signed :>)

CALDWELL….. 7 Scored a good goal and had another sound performance.

McMANUS…. ….7 Solid, solid and solid.

NAYLOR….….….5 Did o.k. but with rest of the team improving he will have to start upping his performances.

McGEADY …. …..7. Started off making six misplaced passes but one of the biggest improvement in his game this season has been his ability to put his head down and still try and play football.

DONATI..…. ….. 6 I can see the influence that GS is having on him and his role is now of a holding midfielder allowing Brown to move forward. Don’t know how the signing of Robson will impact on him.

BROWN …….. . 6 Gave his usual 100% but I still want to see more quality from this 4.5m signing.

NAKA…….. …… 6 The effect of getting games under his belt is beginning to show. This was a much more influential performance helped by the good condition of the pitch.

McDONALD ….. 7 Scored 2 goals and was unlucky not to have at least one more. A goal scoring machine who spends most of a game going around moaning if his teamates do not put him to score more with the perfect pass.

JVOH ………… 8 MOM Maybe it was the fact that it was not raining, maybe it was the arrival of Samaras or maybe he’s in love! But this was his best performance of the season. He linked well with the other players and scored a real quality goal. Even though I think he played well I am a little bit surprised that he has been selected for the Dutch squad in place of Kuyt of Liverpool.

SUBS ………….1. SAMARAS …… 7 Replaced McDonald and showed us all that this guy is bringing pace, skill and an eye for goal to the team. The only downside is the colour of his footwear…….they will have to go!
For an idea of how important he may well be in the Championship fight have a look at this
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KJNYfGNqTRE
2. SNO …..…6 Was actually applauded onto the pitch when he replaced Brown. Another one who might suffer with Robson’s arrival but I do notice a more mature performance from this (only) 20 year old midfielder.

3. O’DEA……..5 Replaced McManus.

REF…………. (Brines) 6 Booked 4 Celtic players but that apart was fine.

THE GAME ……7 It wasn’t that Killie were so poor it was that Celtic was so good. Congratulations to Killie for looking after their pitch.

GOALS ………. 1st This is how goals should be scored. Good link-up play end with Naka slipping a short pass to Caddis who hammered a low cross into the near post where Skippy put it away.
2nd A firm header by Caldwell.
3rd A good run and precise pass by McGeady to JVOH who took the ball down and fired in an unstoppable shot.
4th Set up by JVOH McDonald fired the ball into the net.
5th The goal we had all hoped would arrive. Samaras picked up the ball wide on the right, stepped inside with a good burst of speed and from the edge of the area fired the ball into the far corner.

Killie’s goal should have been defended better by the 3 defenders in the box.


COMMENTS ….. 1. Celtic produced one of their best performances of the season with none of the new signings. Celtic have spent well during the transfer window and Rangers have sold well. I believe the Championship will be decided by those events.
2. One worrying aspect of the game was the almost non-existent home support. If there were 2000 at the game that was the most and it was a Cup game with all to play for. Don’t know how that club will survive?