MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 2 Rangers 4

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:. Funny how even though you can dissect the strengths/weaknesses of both team and rightly come to the conclusion that Celtic hold all the aces, the nervousness increases with that confidence. The knowledge that that the team which has actually lost the first Glasgow derby in three of the last four seasons has gone on to be crowned SPL champions come May left me with slightly mixed emotions but I fancy a 3-0 victory for The Champions.
Hoping that JVOH is only 95% fit and is on the bench.


BORUC ….…….4 The omens were not good after watching his first few attempts at distribution and I would like to have thought that not all 3 goals would have beaten him last season. Hope his recent troubles are not being brought onto the park!

HINKEL.... ….. 4 I’ve waited almost a season to see the worth of this German internationalist but I’m afraid that his recent performances indicate that he is not of the quality that Celtic require.

CALDWELL….…. 6 He was the only defender who made a real attempt at trying not to allow the physicality of Cousin to affect him.

McMANUS…. …4 Has had problems in the past with the physical aspect of Cousins’ play and to-day was no exception. He was rightly yellow carded and struggled throughout but the most infuriating aspect is his inability to direct a clearing header to a teamate.

WILSON …….….5 Until he was out muscled by Cousin he was having a very good game but his performance dropped after that goal and he struggled in the second half (he was the only Celtic player who had a proper attempt at scoring).

McGEADY …. …..5 When I saw that he was up against Broadfoot I thought he would run riot but it was not the case. He did produce some magic to set up the first goal but that apart he was pretty ordinary.

BROWN. ………… 6 Did his bit in midfield but his main weakness is his inability to be an attacking midfielder in terms of shooting,

HARTLEY ……. 6 Solid enough but had no real influence on the game.

NAKA…….. … 6 He was up for the game and, as usual, he showed some delightful touches but his crossing was not up to his normal high standards. Did score a good consolation goal with a free kick.

SAMARAS.... ….. 6 Scored the goal and won his fair share of balls in the air. Just did not present a real goal threat.

MALONEY……..5 Was played as a direct striker, which is not his best position, and found it difficult to best the, rather average, Rangers defence. His best position is playing just in front of the midfield and using his great distribution to set up his other teamates.


SUBS

JVOH …… 1 An act of stupidity on his part meant that he only spent about 5 mins on the park. Rangers had just gone down to 10 men and there was a slight chance that we may be able to do something if he had stayed on the pitch.

ROBSON………5 Tried hard but could have shown more composure when given a couple of chances.

HUTCHINSON ………. 5 Wasn’t on long enough to make any impact.



REF…………. (McDonald) 8 Would not agree with any of his main decisions and thought he did well.

THE GAME ……7 The first half was a very good illustration of a Celtic v Rangers game and the second half had its thrills and spills.

GOALS ………. 1. A great goal scored by Cousin who used his physical strengths to brush off Wilson’s challenge and beat Boruc with a near post shot.
2. Good play by McGeady who beat Broadfoot and sent over a good cross which was coolly turned in by Samaras.
3. A weak piece of defending by Hinkel saw Cousin put over a cross to Millar who scored with a top class shot.
4. Mendes is known for his long range shooting and Celtic should have been more aware of his threat when the corner was being taken. A very good strike.
5. A horrible fumble by Boruc left Millar with a tap in.
6. A well taken free kick by Naka.


COMMENTS ….. 1. Well, I did not see that coming but at the end of it all Rangers deserved to win, by courtesy of two very good strikes. I fully expect an ‘over the top’ reaction but if the two teams were to play next week I would have my money on Celtic (although perhaps not 3-0!).
2. The most worrying aspect of the w/end is the fact that with little more than 36 hours left Celtic have not signed a left back. I do not buy the suggestion that they have tried and have just been unsuccessful. What I do suspect is that the desire went from the Celtic Board after Rangers lost to Kaunas and the general feeling was “that’s us in the Group stages again next year”. The Board seem over concerned with having an ever improving balance sheet rather than an ever improving team!.
3. I do think that the decision by Smith to play Cousin was the match winning move.