MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 4 Hamilton 0

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:

Was looking forward to my first view of the young Hamilton stars, McCarthy and McArthur.

BORUC ….…….7 Had absolutely nothing to do until the old “Holy Goalie’ made his first appearance of the season making two magnificent saves from the penalty.

WILSON.... …… 6 Had no opposing player to mark for most of the game and therefore got forward a lot but once again he failed to supply one really decisive pass into the opposition penalty box.

CALDWELL….…. 7 Really enjoyed the opportunity to strut his stuff as he was under no real pressure. His passing was not as crisp and accurate as it should have been.

McMANUS…. …7 Another very steady performance spoiled a bit by two basic mistakes but nothing came from them.

ROBSON …….….7 Replaced Naylor and put in a performance which would have most of us prefer him to Naylor. Very strong in the air and sent over a few crosses but I wish he had sometimes supplied his winger with the ball.

McGEADY …… 6 Always made himself available for the ball and had some lovely touches, inc the cross to Naka for the first goal, also managed a goal himself. However, there were too many times when he either held on to the ball too long or made some poor misplaced passes.

NAKA……. ……7 MOM He was another who was always looking for the ball and enjoyed the amount of space he found. Took his goal very well and also had a hand in Samaras’s goal.

CROSAS…. ……6 The guy has class of that there is no doubt and to-day he exhibited a bit more bite in his play but he does tire after 60 mins.

BROWN…..……6 His non-stop engine was put to good use breaking down the scarce Accies build ups but his passing will have to improve before we start seeing a real return on the investment.

McDONALD...… 6 He’s always going to have a few bad first touches and to-day was no different, however the longer the game went on so did his touch improve. He had a hand in the second goal and took his goal very well after some really determined play inside the penalty box.


JVOH.... …5 Lasted 90 secs.

SUBS

SAMARAS…………. 6 Played almost the full game and had lots of time to 'strut his stuff'(maybe too much at times). I would like to see him sometimes fire in a shot instead of trying to pass the ball into the net.

O’DEA…………. 5 Played at left back and was steady enough.

MALONEY.…… 6 On in place of Samaras and showed some wonderful quick feet to set up McGeady’s goal.


REF…………. (Conroy) 6 Gave a very dubious penalty and allowed Hamilton to commit as many fouls as I have seen any team commit at C.P. Then he had the nerve to show his first yellow card at Caldwell.

THE GAME ……6 It was a change to be so relaxed at a game but the opposition were pretty poor.

GOALS ………. 1. A good cross by McGeady was met at the far post by Naka, who brought it under control and fired it into the net.
2. Nice pass by McDonald to Naka who teed it up for Samaras.
3. A really determined piece of play by McDonald enabled him to get the better of his two markers and slot the ball past the goalie.
4. Wonderfully quick feet on the bye-line by Maloney allowed him to set up McGeady.



COMMENTS ….. 1. Hamilton were the poorest team to turn up at C.P. this season.

2. The two Mac’s did nothing to show that they would improve our squad.

3. Where was the Green Brigade to-day? The stadium certainly missed their vocal support.