MATCH REPORT: MAN U 3 CELTIC 0

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:

I was not approaching to-nights game with any real hope but football is a funny game and the United crowd are no different from any other and if Celtic could just get to half time without conceding and the crowd becomes nervous who knows what might happen?


BORUC ….……....4 Had little chance with the first goal and held a difficult Rooney shot safely but he was certainly at fault for the second offside goal. I also thought that he got his angles wrong when Rooney scored the only real goal. He then spilled the ball and presented Rooney with a wonderful chance. Not a good night for Artur.

WILSON... …… 4 If I do not think he is good enough for Celtic in the SPL then he was going to have little chance to impress in Manchester. The weakness in his game was highlighted in the last few minutes when he did well to dispossess Rooney, had a clear field in front of him,but dallied on the ball and allowed Rooney to recover.

LOOVENS….…. 5 Considering that it was his European debut and up against the Champions he did o.k. but he is no better than O'Dea.

McMANUS…. …6 Had a big responsibility trying to hold the defence to-gether and did well in his own role.

NAYLOR …….….5 Started the game well but as soon as the pressure was put on the defence so his innate weaknesses shone through.

McGEADY …… 5 I know that he had that great game against Benfica? but what about all the others. The C.L. is the stage for great players but Aiden has never taken that particular opportunity. He will not have improved his value with that display!

ROBSON……. ……4 I've said before that I think C.L. football is a step too far for him and to-night only highlighted that.

CALDWELL…. ……7 MOM Was employed playing just in front of the defence and took to it very well. He made some passing mistakes when he was trying to impress but he was the only player who fought and went forward for the who;e 90mins. Was unlucky when he struck the ball so well only to see it tipped over the top.

BROWN…..…5 Yes, he fought but it was to little avail. He seemed more intent in showing how tough he was instead of a more constructive role.

NAKA ....5 Started to worry when he failed to keep his first corner in play. Like McGeady has he ever produced that top quality display in the C.L. (apart from free kicks of course)?

McDONALD...… 5 Felt for him as he was again up on his own and although he showed his usual lack of ability to hold and pass the ball on a few occassions he did work hard for the cause.



SUBS

SHERIDAN………….6 He's too young to know what his potential is but for the time he was on he showed perhaps the difference that having a JVOH or Samaras might have made.

MALONEY…………. 4 Didn't really notice him.

HARTLEY.…… 5 At least he managed to surge forward a few times.


REF…………. (5) Not a referee that we have been enamoured by in the past but it was not his fault that both his sidekicks failed miserably in his job.

THE GAME ……4 The only real flashes of brilliance came from United.

GOALS ………. 1. A goal that should never have been allowed but the defence did not look too assured when the ball came over.

2. A free kick foolishly conceded by Brown and not dealt with by Boruc .....but it was offside!

3. Started from a throw out by the goalkeeper and eventually Rooney finished it off with a shot from just outside the box.



COMMENTS ….. 1. After a really solid start we lost all composure and drive as the linesmen failed to do their job. The second half was as poor a performance as I've seen by Celtic in the Group Stages.

2. I felt for the supporters who had made the trip. they were subjected to a lot of taunts from the United supporters, e.g. "Are you Rangers in disguise?". They also had to sit/stand and watch as Man U played with us.

3. I have my worries about the return game and only hope that Villareal do the business in Denmark.

4. The game against Hibs is the important one and GS must ensure that he raises the teams spirits as they will be despondent and of course Riordan will be making his "I'll show them" return.

5. If nothing else happens, Celtic must start introducing Caddis to the team and find a replacement for Naylor.