MATCH REPORT: ABERDEEN 1 CELTIC 1

PRE-MATCH COMMENT. Wasn’t disappointed to hear that Naylor had taken ill but disappointed that Wilson was not his replacement.

BORUC ….…….8 MOM The two saves at the end to stop Celtic from going 2 behind were crucial and maybe his ‘wee’ run up the park for the final free-kick had a part to play in the equaliser?

HINKEL.... ….. 7 Just as happened a few weeks ago at Pittodrie, Hinkel was indecisive weak in the air but he came on to a great game, surprisingly most of it defensively. Cleared a shot off the line in the second half.

CALDWELL….. 6 Although it is difficult to remember him making any mistakes he must share in the culpability of the middle of the defence being so jittery in the second half.

McMANUS…. …6 Made a ‘Caldwell’ like pass in the second half which required a wonderful save from Artur. He also shared in the nervous end to the game.

O’DEA…….….….6 His lack of pace means that he’ll never be a modern day back but he did show his footballing ability with some lovely touches.

McGEADY …. …..6 Not the same guy who lit up Pittodrie on the previous visit. He was unable to kill the ball with his first touch and rarely got by the full back.

SNO ……………….6 Thought he did well. He used his body strength and showed his composure in passing (only once did he get caught dozing which is a big improvement). Was amazed he was subbed.

HARTLEY …….. . 7 Was so unlucky not to equalise when he hit the post with a 25yd shot and overall had a good game.

NAKA…….. …….. 5 Did not influence the game as much as a player of his ability should. Had a good opportunity to score but goalie made a good save.

McDONALD.. ….. 5 Tried hard but to little effect. Thought it was the right decision to sub him.

JVOH…………….. 7 Had a great header come off the post and another one saved. Should have connected when faced with an open goal in the second half and when McGeady set him up with a great chance with his head but he scored with almost the last kick of the game.

SUBS
SAMARAS…..6 Showed how classy a player he is by sending a slide rule pass to set up JVOH for the equaliser.

DONATI…… 5 Could not believe that GS thought bring on Donati for Sno would improve Celtic’s play. Donati lost the ball with his first touch and Celtic lost a goal! However it was the same guy who picked out Samaras for the equaliser.



REF…………. 8 Had an excellent game and liked his chat with Artur which produced a few smiles.

THE GAME ……8 A windy day, a poor pitch but a very good cup tie

GOALS ………. 1st Aberdeen moved the ball very well and split the Celtic defence.

2nd With less than a minute to go Celtic are awarded a free kick which Naka flights into a crowded penalty area (Boruc is in there too), it’s nodded away, Hartley manages to win the aerial challenge and the ball eventually finds it way to Caldwell who slices a kick which McManus manages to toe poke back to Donati, who passes to Samaras who then glides it across for JVOH to slide it home. What a relief!


COMMENTS ….. 1. Comparing it to the previous game we certainly missed Brown but overall I thought that Celtic were always in command apart from the first 10 mins and the last 15 mins. I kept on saying “this is the Man U game against Portsmouth as Celtic hit the post 4 times and missed a couple of good chances but we fight longer than United.