MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 1 MAN U 1

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:

Knew that I was going to be watching the game in a bar full of English supporters and all I was hoping for was that The Bhoys would not let us down and we would not hear any more “men against boys” comments. Would settle for a draw and for Villareal win against Aalborg.
Was surprised that Sheridan was starting and that there was no room for McGeady (learned later that he was injured) or Naka.
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After watching that heroic performance I’m starting off by giving everyone at least 7 points for bravery and courage that made wearing the Celtic colours in Portugal a proud moment.

BORUC ….…….8 Don’t agree with the Sky News guy who said that he “spilled the ball’ for Giggs to score. That shot was moving all over the place and he had to change direction. Did everything with a high level of professionalism.

HINKEL.... …… 8 Kept up his recent good level of performance and added a touch of steel to his game.

CALDWELL….…. 9 MOM He and his sidekick refused to be overawed and he gave everything for the cause. Cleverly headed the ball to McDonald to set up the goal.

McMANUS…. …8 These are the games in which his real fighting qualities come to the fore. Was always in the right spot to block, clear the danger.

WILSON.... …… 7 Was up against Ronaldo and rose to the challenge. Of course he had his moments of poor distribution but he never gave up.

ROBSON …….…7 No question about his commitment and effort but I do still feel that his qualities are not for this level of football. Thought the game passed him by in midfield too often and his lack of pace meant that he was left for dead if he missed the tackle.

HARTLEY.. …… 8 Held his position very well and although not as prominent as the other defenders his was still an important contribution.

MALONEY…. ……8 Did not shirk from his defensive duties and covered a lot of ground as well as a fair bit of skill. Neither was he afraid of shooting.

BROWN…..……8 Loved the challenge and was everywhere closing the Man U ‘stars’ down. Took a few kicks as well.

McDONALD...… 8 Took his goal so well and has refuted the “lack of sharpness and overweight” comments..

SHERIDAN……. ……7 Considering his lack of experience I thought that he did well.

SUBS

DONATI.…….. …. 7 Showed some lovely skill but it was difficult as there was no-one up front to benefit from his passing ability.

O’DEA………….…7 Would have thoroughly enjoyed the battle and did not let the team down.

HUTCHINSON.…… 5 Not on long enough to get the 7 mark but I did think that his inability to do anything shows why GS favours Sheridan


REF…………. 7

THE GAME ……9 The mark is high because of the courage and discipline that was shown for the full 92 mins. Defending is an art as much as much as scoring is.

GOALS ………. 1. Man U failed to deal with a free kick and the ball eventually came to Caldwell who astutely headed the ball to McDonald who expertly took a first touch and then chipped the keeper.
2. Ronaldo had moved infield and was unmarked when a free kick was sent to him and he took a few steps before unleashing a ferocious shot which Boruc did well to keep out but Giggs was as quick as a flash to header the ball home.



COMMENTS ….. 1. From a t.v. point of view it seemed that the support Celtic was getting from the support was magnificent and must have acted as a great spur to the team.

2. The one aspect of the game that we were second best was in our inability to match Man U’s ability to hold, move into space and pass the ball.

3. Disappointed in the Aalborg result but I really feel that it will be in Denmark that our awful away record will start to be corrected. Hopefully we will have at least one of our strikers back for that game to-gether with McGeady and Naka.

4. What a twat Souness is! I listened to him go on about how Celtic could easily have lost 5-1