‘THE CHAMPIONS’ MATCH REPORT: DUN U 0 CELTIC 1
PRE-MATCH COMMENT:
Had to give up my invitation to be a complimentary Dun U ticket and stay at home and so nervous was I that I decided to take a sleeping pill at 19.30, waken up after midnight and watch the game in peace and quite on C67. However the closer it came to the game I knew I couldn’t do it so gathered myself for an extremely tense 90 mins.
Was pleased that the ref’s were who they were as I didn’t fear Clarke at Pittrodie and would rather have McDougal under our scrutiny!
After each player’s mark and comment I am showing how the player has performed over the season. The ave mark is 5.8
BORUC ….…….7 Pulled off one really good save and did everything that was asked of him with professionalism.
What a vital player he has been during the campaign. He has played in 44 games, has been MOM on 9 0ccassions and has averaged 6.86………just terrific. Must stay.
NAYLOR.... ….. 4 He couldn’t even shy the ball effectively and just proved again that he does not have what is necessary to play in a Champions team.
Has played in 46 games, won MOM once and has an ave of 5.07. Must go
CALDWELL…. 7 Steady and sound throughout. What a vital player he has been during the campaign.
Has been a very important player during the campaign.He has played in 50 games and has averaged 6.22. After his trials and tribulations in the early part he has become a rock in our defence. Must stay.
McMANUS…. …7 Has won the title in his first year as Captain and I hope that this experience will make him a more composed player and a Captain of authority.
Never wavered in his commitment all season. He has played in 52 games and has averaged 6.34 Must stay.
HINKELL …….….5 Can’t make up my mind about this guy. He’s fast, he’s comfortable on the ball, has a good shot but is he a defender?
He has played in 19 games, has been MOM on 2 0ccassions and has averaged 5.74. Hopefully his second season will see him being a more confident attacking wing back.
McGEADY …. …..6 Didn’t have the impact I hoped he would have had but he was marked very closely.
Has been a vital player during the campaign. He has played in 50 games, has been MOM on 6 0ccassions and has averaged 6.38…Must stay to continue his very exciting development.
ROBSON. ……….8 MOM From the first moment you could tell that he was going to give his all and so he did.
Just a newcomer to the team but was a cert pick at the end. He has played in only 15 games, has been MOM on 1 0ccassion and has averaged 6.39…What a player he will be next season.
HARTLEY. …….8 MOM He too was totally focused on chasing every ball, harrying every opponent in order to pick up THE medal.
Was not an automatic choice until the end. He has played in 39 games, has been MOM on 5 0ccassions and has averaged 6.31…. Must stay
NAKA…….. …….. 6 In the first 30 mins I thought he was going to destroy Dun U on his own. He supplied McGeady and Robson with great chances but then he started to fade. The night ended with him being booked for simulation (it was a bit over theatrical).
Was injured for a chunk of the season. He has played in 33 games, has been MOM on 1 0ccassions and has averaged 5.76…Glad to have him for another season.
McDONALD.. ….. 5 Displayed good skill and an unselfish side to his play but then faded out of the game badly.
What a bargain buy! He has played in 51 games, has been MOM on 3 0ccassions and has averaged 5.90…Must stay to continue his very exciting development.
JVOH…………7 For me the enigma of the team. He can’t run, his control with the ball at his feet is poor and yet he has scored 20 goals with the one to-night winning the Championship and the one against Rangers giving us hope.
He has played in 47 games, has been MOM on 2 0ccassions but has only averaged 5.43…Should he stay or should he go?
SUBS
SAMARAS …….. 4 He has played in 18 games (14 as sub), has been MOM on 1 0ccassions and has averaged 5.63…Would not offer him a contract.
.
BROWN …… ….. 5 Replaced Naka and stayed out on the wing.He has played in 50 games, has been MOM on 3 0ccassions and has averaged 5.78…Would hope that next season we will see the real player emerge.
REF…………. (Dougal) 8 Thought he did well.
THE GAME ……8 A very fast, committed game with both teams trying to win. Was very impressed with United’s attitude and fitness but was more impressed by The Champion’s determination to retain their title and their commitment as a team
GOALS ………. 1. Brought back memories of Big Billy soaring in the Hampden evening to win the cup.
COMMENTS ….. 1. All that mattered was retaining the title but Celtic did it with style.
2. The joy of watching the goings on at Aberdeen only added to the great spectacle.
3. Celtic are now in the Group stages, Rangers have 2 qualifying games to play.
4. Can now look forward to the close season with a certain laissez faire attitude and am looking forward to the transfer rumours.
5. After the Motherwell game I said that I would have no regrets if GS resigned…………..now I would have. Well done Wee Gordon.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 2 HIBS 0
PRE-MATCH COMMENT:
A great day weather wise to watch the last game this season at C.P. Glad to see McManus back and had no worries about Wilson replacing the injured Hinkel. Was looking fwd to watching two good attacking teams.
BORUC ….…….10 MOM What a goalie! He must have pulled off at least 8 great saves, one of which was absolutely world class. He was quick of his line to clear any danger in the first 30mins when the defence was being caught flatfooted. On top of that he was quick to launch attacks by his good distribution. Must be worth 15m. I think this is the second time I have given him a mark of 10 (Henrik only achieved it once!).
WILSON.... ….. 6 Played very steadily and showed a great appetite for attacking down the wing but could have improved his final ball. At last I watched a Celtic player take throw ins quickly, accurately (except for one bloomer) and with imagination.
CALDWELL…. 8 He won a lot of the ball in the air against the difficult Fletcher and was a steadying influence throughout the game.
McMANUS…. …7 Took a little time to settle in but was determined in all challenges.
NAYLOR …….….5 Thankfully his performance improved after an awful first 45mins but he only re-confirmed my opinion that he would be the first player to be transferred at the end of the season.
McGEADY …. …..6 He was a handful for the Hibs defence all day and looked more direct when moved to the right wing in the second half but his weakness of spoiling his good work by holding unto the ball for too long.
ROBSON. ……….8 He’s not the fastest and sometimes his reliance on his left foot catches him out but what endeavour, what commitment he has brought to the team.
HARTLEY ……… 9 I thought it was his best performance since joining Celtic. It was not that he was prominent throughout, it was more his intervention work and calmness on the ball that so impressed.
NAKA…….. …….. 6 Some lovely touches but also some very dangerous missed passes. Had a great free kick, which hit the post.
McDONALD.. ….. 5 His selfishness and his awful first touch were going to result in a below average mark but once again he steals into space and scores a goal with his head.
JVOH…………5 Won a lot of good ball in the air but his lack of pace and skill on the floor meant that he was always going to be subbed.
SUBS
SAMARAS …….. 4 I’m beginning to wonder if he is worthy of a offer.
SHERIDAN ……n.a. Was only on for 2 mins.
REF…………. (McDonald) 6 Should have awarded a penalty to Celtic but correctly showed the red card to two Hibs defenders.
THE GAME ……9 Two teams intent on scoring goals made for an excellent game.
GOALS ………. 1. A good corner by Naka was met firmly by McManus.
2. Another cross by Robson was met at the back post by McDonald
COMMENTS ….. 1. The team did what was asked of them and the crowd gave them full backing.
2. Was delighted to take Erico from Brazil to the game and interesting listening to how a Brazilian saw the game. His first love in terms of football was Flamenco but his real love is now The Bhoys!
3. Well one more game to go and I still think that Rangers will slip up before that ensuring an amazing atmosphere at Tannadice. Celtic have a better goal difference of 7 and have scored 3 more goals but Rangers have 2 games to eat into that. Celtic will almost certainly have to beat Dundee U and will therefore add at least one goal to the total whilst Rangers have to at least draw one game which could mean that they will have to score 8 goals in the ‘extra’ two games.
4. After an emergency meeting of the SPL to decide what should happen re. Gretna’s inability to play all their reserve games it was decided that Celtic are the Champion for a record no of consecutive titles.
5. Was very impressed again with Fletcher and Shields of Hibs.
PRE-MATCH COMMENT:
A great day weather wise to watch the last game this season at C.P. Glad to see McManus back and had no worries about Wilson replacing the injured Hinkel. Was looking fwd to watching two good attacking teams.
BORUC ….…….10 MOM What a goalie! He must have pulled off at least 8 great saves, one of which was absolutely world class. He was quick of his line to clear any danger in the first 30mins when the defence was being caught flatfooted. On top of that he was quick to launch attacks by his good distribution. Must be worth 15m. I think this is the second time I have given him a mark of 10 (Henrik only achieved it once!).
WILSON.... ….. 6 Played very steadily and showed a great appetite for attacking down the wing but could have improved his final ball. At last I watched a Celtic player take throw ins quickly, accurately (except for one bloomer) and with imagination.
CALDWELL…. 8 He won a lot of the ball in the air against the difficult Fletcher and was a steadying influence throughout the game.
McMANUS…. …7 Took a little time to settle in but was determined in all challenges.
NAYLOR …….….5 Thankfully his performance improved after an awful first 45mins but he only re-confirmed my opinion that he would be the first player to be transferred at the end of the season.
McGEADY …. …..6 He was a handful for the Hibs defence all day and looked more direct when moved to the right wing in the second half but his weakness of spoiling his good work by holding unto the ball for too long.
ROBSON. ……….8 He’s not the fastest and sometimes his reliance on his left foot catches him out but what endeavour, what commitment he has brought to the team.
HARTLEY ……… 9 I thought it was his best performance since joining Celtic. It was not that he was prominent throughout, it was more his intervention work and calmness on the ball that so impressed.
NAKA…….. …….. 6 Some lovely touches but also some very dangerous missed passes. Had a great free kick, which hit the post.
McDONALD.. ….. 5 His selfishness and his awful first touch were going to result in a below average mark but once again he steals into space and scores a goal with his head.
JVOH…………5 Won a lot of good ball in the air but his lack of pace and skill on the floor meant that he was always going to be subbed.
SUBS
SAMARAS …….. 4 I’m beginning to wonder if he is worthy of a offer.
SHERIDAN ……n.a. Was only on for 2 mins.
REF…………. (McDonald) 6 Should have awarded a penalty to Celtic but correctly showed the red card to two Hibs defenders.
THE GAME ……9 Two teams intent on scoring goals made for an excellent game.
GOALS ………. 1. A good corner by Naka was met firmly by McManus.
2. Another cross by Robson was met at the back post by McDonald
COMMENTS ….. 1. The team did what was asked of them and the crowd gave them full backing.
2. Was delighted to take Erico from Brazil to the game and interesting listening to how a Brazilian saw the game. His first love in terms of football was Flamenco but his real love is now The Bhoys!
3. Well one more game to go and I still think that Rangers will slip up before that ensuring an amazing atmosphere at Tannadice. Celtic have a better goal difference of 7 and have scored 3 more goals but Rangers have 2 games to eat into that. Celtic will almost certainly have to beat Dundee U and will therefore add at least one goal to the total whilst Rangers have to at least draw one game which could mean that they will have to score 8 goals in the ‘extra’ two games.
4. After an emergency meeting of the SPL to decide what should happen re. Gretna’s inability to play all their reserve games it was decided that Celtic are the Champion for a record no of consecutive titles.
5. Was very impressed again with Fletcher and Shields of Hibs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)