MATCH REPORT: VILLAREAL 1 CELTIC 0

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:

So disappointed not to be able to return to Villareal as the last visit was memorable. Did not expect to see four attacking players make the starting line-up. I would have left Naka on the bench.

BORUC ….…….7 There was a moment in the first half when the stories about his fitness and mental state reared their head as he dithered and dallied before coming out to make a good block. He pulled off very good saves to keep the score down to just one goal but I just wish he had the view I had on t.v. before Senna took his free-kick, if he had he would have moved a little bit more to his right. It’s not often he beaten by a free-kick two game in a row.

WILSON.... …… 6 He tried so hard to ensure that he gave his best and whilst he nearly managed it he is just not good enough in a positional sense or physical strength to be in C.L. football. Nearly had a ‘Cousin’ moment in the second half.

CALDWELL….…. 8 MOM Very glad he made it back as he was a rock in the center of the defence.

McMANUS…. …8 Had his best game of the season and stood solid alongside Caldwell.

NAYLOR …….….6 He allowed Villareal so many opportunities to slide a pass past him that I was amazed that we did not lose a goal from that wing. However, he battled away all night and had one or two good passes but not crosses unfortunately.

McGEADY …… 6 It was a difficult night for him in respect of getting good service but he was always a danger and nearly created a great goal with a delightful flick/pass to McDonald.

NAKA……. ……4 Wouldn’t be surprised if he covered more ground than any other player but so much of it was wasted. He hardly ever won a tackle nor did he supply enough decisive passes. Should have been subbed at half-time.

HARTLEY…. ……5 Was important in the first half in not allowing Villareal too much space in his territory but as the second half wore on his fitness level dropped and it was a tired, mis-timed tackle which led to the decisive free-kick.

BROWN…..……6 Made sure that Villareal knew that the would not get it all their own way but eventually the effort took its toll.

MALONEY...… 5 Did a lot of good defensive work in the first half but was not seen in a real attacking role. He was another Celtic player who tired too quickly.


SAMARAS.... …6 Not the same energetic, bursting forward player that has been on show this season. Maybe his hamstring was troubling him. Should have score in the first half when one on one with the goalkeeper.

SUBS

JVOH.…….. … 5 Was not on long enough to make any real impact.

McDONALD.…6 Nearly scored the goal of the season with a wonderful shot taken on the drop.

ROBSON.…… 5 Brought some much needed bite to the midfield but failed to change the tide of play.


REF…………. (Hungarian) 7 Unfortunately I have to agree with his decision to award the free-kick. I would have been looking for one if it had been a Villareal tackle

THE GAME ……7 One of Celtic’s better performances inn an away C.L. game but once again we rue not taking one of the chances.

GOALS ………. 1. A well taken free-kick which should have been saved.



COMMENTS ….. 1. After the Aalborg game I conceded that Celtic would not make the last sixteen and that the away game would be the decisive one in term of us still being in Europe after Xmas and so it will be.

2. It is an amazing, frustrating run of away defeats and a fact that is going to become the talking point around Europe rather than our play or our Fortress Parkhead reputation.

3. G.S. should have made his substitutions earlier than he did and surprised that Crosas did not come on.

4. The aspect that worried me the most was the apparent fatigue which set in around the 60 mins. So many of our players just seem to lose their energy and yet Celtic are supposed to have a top class group of fitness experts.