MATCH REPORT: RANGERS 1 CELTIC 0

PRE-MATCH COMMENT. Found a nice bar in Alcudia with only a couple of Celtic supporters as company and sat down with growing confidence that we would not lose and most likely win the game. Pleased Samaras and Hartley were both starting.

BORUC ….…….7...MOM Had no real chance with the goal and displayed a consistency of performance that was not replicated throughout the team.

HINKEL.... ….. 6 After his usual shaky start he came into the game and delivered one pile driver which nearly changed the result. Why he did not recieve more of the ball in the second half is beyond me.

CALDWELL….. 5 He defended well apart from his lack of involvement at the goal but his main failing was when he repeatedly ignored Hinkel in the second half to send in high balls to a Rangers defence who just ate them up for breakfast.

McMANUS…. …6 Was left isolated at the goal but the main disappointment was that he proved the doubters right by his inability to produce a Captains performance when it was most needed.

NAYLOR…….….4 Back to the 'old' Naylor. Failed to remain composed, failed to re-act to Thompson's run, failed to overlap enough with McGeady and failed to deliver a high enough % of passes that found their teamates.

McGEADY …. …..5 Thought he was going to be the key to victory when he was going past Broadfoot for fun in the first half but he disappeared out of the game in the second (partly due to poor service).

HARTLEY ……………….6 He was steady and did what was asked of him. Should be a regular for the rest of the season.

BROWN ………….4 He made 3 good runs into the box and was definitely impeded at the first, lost control for the second one and hit the post from a very tight angle but why can he not score and why did he fail to dominate the midfield?

NAKA…….. …….. 5 He put as much effort into the game as a player of his slight stature could and showed a few delightful touches but what real impact did he have?

SAMARAS ….....6 If only Celtic had played more balls to his feet! He showed composure and ability but he rec'd too little support.

JVOH ……… 5 He also is another striker who does not do his best work when being asked to collect high punted balls but he also failed to cause any real problems for the Rangers defence.

SUBS
McDONALD………………3 Came on too late to have any real affect (think he only touched the ball about 4 times!).

ROBSON..…………. 3 Ditto


REF…………. (Dougal)5 During the first half we all said how well he had refereed the game (we didn't think from his position that he was able to see Brown being impeded, although the linesman certainly should have!)However, when you really examine his performance you would be excused if you did not wonder how subtle his second half decisions were:
1. Thompson should have been sent off.
2. McDonald should have been awarded a freekick deep into injury time
3. How could he possibly award only 3 mins extra time when the injury took up about 3 mins?

THE GAME ……6

GOAL ………. 1. Those who are unfortunate to sit beside me at Celtic Park have long had their ears assailed by my constant carping about how poor Celtic have been, for many years, in either taking throw-ins or defending them and it was that simple inability that led to the build up from which resulted in the goal.

COMMENTS ….. 1. Did Celtic deserve to win the game..... "No" Did Celtic deserve to get a draw...... "possibly Yes". Did Celtic show enough craft to break down a defensive opponent....."No". Did Celtic keep up the good performance which allowed them to dominate the first half when they ran down the tunnel one goal down..."No". Did the manager do enough to change tactics and formation in the second half......decidedly "No".

2. I would have been very upset if MON had been sacked but I was not upset to see him resign. I share the same view re. G.S. It is not that he has failed to achieve as much as I would have expected, it is rather that he promised to deliver a style of football which was more in the traditional Celtic way, i.e. fast flowing, attacking, interpassing, on the ground football. He hasn't and I do not think he ever will.

3. I do not think the League is over but I do know that Rangers can only give it away!

3. Why did it take so long for the G.S. to recognise that he was playing a defensive minded team and an even more one after they scored to wait so long before taking a defender off and an attacker on?