MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 3 ABERDEEN 2
PRE-MATCH COMMENT:
Was really looking fwd to this match after the delightful football delivered over the last few games. Expected McGeady to start as his last 20 mins against Livingston were more like the real Aiden. Also expected Crosas to start as he’s the one who makes the midfield tick.
BORUC ….…….6 Foolishly got himself booked for needless time wasting and probably was the main reason that Aberdeen did not score the equaliser in the last minute of the game. Won’t be happy at letting the free kick slip past him at the post.
WILSON.... …… 5 Once again his failure in delivering a killer pass/cross illustrates that he is not good enough to be Celtic’s permanent full back.
LOOVENS….…. 5 Was very disappointed that he failed to replicate the confident performance of Tuesday. He was not decisive enough and got caught out too often by the quick one – two’s.
McMANUS…. …5 Was the partner in a too easily disturbed central pairing. I know Millar is a difficult player to mark but he should have won more than he did.
NAYLOR …….….6 Was impressive going forward but he does make some childish and dangerous mis-placed passes.
NAKA……. ……5 The disturbing aspect of his game which has featured too often this season, i.e. mis-placed passes, were on display again to-day. Is his ‘imminent’ return home preying on his mind?
CROSAS…. ……4 The biggest disappointment of the day was his inability to get into the game and his poor passing ratio. May well have ruled himself out of contention for the Villareal game.
BROWN…..……7 MOM His display of never giving up the fight and his winning of un-winnable tackles typified the ‘never say die’ attitude of the team. Set up the first goal with a sensible pass.
MALONEY...… 5 Although he tried hard I cannot remember him being involved in anything that led to a real chance. Was correctly subbed.
JVOH.…….. … 7 He may not be the fastest, nor the most mobile but he does score vital goals.
SAMARAS.... …7 Showed some lovely touches, particularly in the first half but didn’t really have an opportunity to continue his great goal scoring run. Was very influential in harrying the defence to create the first goal but tired in the second half.
SUBS
McGEADY …… 7 Started on the left but was moved to the right when McDonald came on and it was from there that he set up the two very good crosses that led to the 2nd and 3 rd goals.
McDONALD.…6 Showed his old poaching skill in heading the equalising goal.
HARTLEY…… 5 Was only on for the last few minutes. Don't remember him touching the ball.
REF…………. (SMITH) 7 Steady Eddie
THE GAME ……8 A very exciting game with both teams having a go.
GOALS ………. 1. It was only a very determined effort by Samaras who refused to give up on a lost cause that allowed Brown to gather and pass the ball to JVOH after the Aberdeen defence dallied.
2. A 15 man passing move down the right side resulted in a deep cross allowed Mulgrew to drive the ball through Boruc’s legs for the eqauliser.
3. A superb 28yd free kick by Mulgrew found the bottom left hand corner.
4. A great deep cross by McGeady found McDonald all alone at the far post.
5. A lost ball was suddenly retrieved by McGeady (and a fortunate richocet) allowed McGeady to drive to the penalty area and deliver a good pass that caused mayhem in the Aberdeen defence which JVOH to score a last minute winner.
COMMENTS ….. 1. It was obvious (at least to some) at half-time that if our defence allowed Aberdeen the same nos of chances as in the first then they would convert some of them and so it turned out.
1. Not up to the standards of the last few games in terms of quality but excitement all the way.
2. It’s a pity that Mulgrew had his fallout with G.S. as he shoed to-day that he could have been our answer at left back.
3. Villareal now beckons and my team would be the same as to-day with Caldwell replacing Loovens, Hartley and Robson replacing JVOH and Maloney.
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