MATCH REPORT:  MOTHERWELL   CELTIC  2 

 

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:

 

The 2 week break from club football was just what I needed and the optimism was back again. The team selection must have surprised everyone but there is always an extra buzz when ‘fringe’ players come in.

 

The corresponding game last season:  Motherwell  1  Celtic  4

 

BORUC ….…….6  Pulled off one very good save and a good block but the problems with his distribution still remain.

 

WILSON.... ….. 5  Back to his favoured right back position but he did not put in a performance which would make him first choice for right back. The longer the game went on the poorer his performance.

 

CALDWELL….6  He allowed himself to be nudged out of the two ariel challenges that allowed Motherwell the 2 goals.

   

McMANUS…. …5  Did not dominate in the air and, in the second half, instead of bringing a Captains role to calm the proceedings he was panicking. He needs a rest.

 

NAYLOR …….….6  Played his part in that great 4^th goal and would be my choice for Wednesday.

 

ROBSON …. …..6  In the first half he was a terrier, breaking down M/wells midfield but he faded badly in the second half.

 

BROWN. ………… 6   Would not liked to have faced M/well in the second half. Not everything came off for him but he never gave up.

 

CROSAS ……….. 6  In the first half he showed great composure and vision when it came to his passing and was always available for the ball. Faded badly in the 2^nd half.

 

 

MALONEY…….. 6  Scored his first Celtic goal in 17? games but playing out on the right he was more of a provider. Still think his best position will be as an attacking midfield player. Was starved of the ball in the second half.

 

SAMARAS.... ….. 8  MOM Had his best 90 mins in a Celtic top. He was winning nearly everything in the air and his footwork was top class. I was very impressed by his application and he was the only player to put in a full 90 mins.

 

McDONALD……..6 In the first half he was displaying a selfless part that I hadn’t seen before and had a hand in 2 of the goals. Hardly seen in the 2^nd half.

 

 

SUBS 

 

NAKA ………… 5  I’m sure he will be in the first eleven on Sat..

 

SHERIDAN……5 Nice to see him back but he could have set up Samaras for his hat-trick after making a good run along the byeline but the temptation proved too much for him.

 

REF………….  (Thompson) 7  The only mistake he made was in booking McDonald after his first foul.

 

THE GAME ……6 The game was heading for a 9 or 10 until the second half came along. Great fast, one touch football followed by nervous, misplaced passes.

 

GOALS ……….  1.   A fortunate deflection allowed Brown to send over an enticing cross that was met by the waiting Maloney.

2.      A determined jump by Robson allowed the ball to go to McDonald who nicely flicked the ball into Samaras’s path but it still required a very nifty piece of footwork to put the ball away.

3.      A shy from Wilson was met at the edge of the box by McDonald who, using great upper body strength to turn the defender, ‘hitch-kicked’ the ball into the top left hand corner.

4.      An absolute cracker of a goal! A seven man one touch move saw Samaras burst through the middle and very coolly place the ball in the net.

5.      Caldwell could have done better in the air but Sutton struck a sweet shot.

6.      Another weakness in our central defence allowed the goal to be scored.

COMMENTS ….. 1.  The first half performance leaves G.S. with a few healthy decisions re. Wednesday’s game. Samaras must start. Naka and McGeady should return. Robson and Brown in midfield but the problems lie in our fullback positions. I favour Hinkel and Naylor.

                          2. I do feel that Crosas and Loovens will get their chances later in the season as they bring more of a footballing brain to the game.

                            3. Wednesday night is the start of what will, hopefully, be the start of a another great run in the C.L. A win is essential.