MATCH REPORT: HEARTS 0 CELTIC 2

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:

The only drawback from a wonderful trip through central Spain was not being able to see The Bhoys. Now in Portugal and found a bar in Carvoeiro, Algarve and settled down to watch what is usually a tense game. Surprised McGeady was not featuring.

BORUC ….……....6 A quiet day for Artur , only two shots to deal with.

HINKEL...... …… 7 Believe he played well iat Kilmarnock

CALDWELL.…. .7 A very steady game and one that allowed him to "strut his stuff"which he did quite well. His determination was the main reason he got onto the scoreboard although it was a bit scrappy.

McMANUS…. …6 As usual he threw his body at anythihg that appeared dangerous but I feel that his lack of dominance in the air is the one aspect of his game which will prevent him from moving up to a higher level.

WILSON.... …… 6 An o.k. game in which he covered his position quite well but his distribution success ratio is still too eratic.

MALONEY. …… 8 MOM His overall game was fine and showed some lovely touches but it was his ability and confidence to attempt to score from the punch out by the Hearts goalkeeper fully 35 yds out. Absolutely brilliant. Goal of the Season despite what Chick Young thinks about Boyds P.Thistle goal!

ROBSON……. …7 He was up against a 4 man Hearts midfield but his determination not to concede ground was a major factor for Celtic´s first half dominance.

HARTLEY…. ……7 Apart from missing the penalty he played the holding role perfectly.

BROWN…..….....6 Like Robson he was in fine form in the first half but dropped out of the picture slightly in the second. Maybe deliberately considering the Man U game.

SHERIDAN .........5 He gave all he had and he is still a very young, inexperienced player but I am sure that GS will have noticed how few (if any) of the physical battles he won.

McDONALD...… 7 He is coming back to the sharpness of last year and made many more successful passes than previously.


SUBS

McGEADY………..5 On for about 20 mins but really did very little.

DONATI…………. 6 Quite nice to see him back displaying the skill we know he has.

McCOURT...…… 5 Only on for a few minutes.

REF…………...... (Thompson 7) Managed to miss Caldwell´s `handball`and gave the penalty when he should not have done so.

THE GAME ……6 It wasn´t Celtic´s fault that it was not a high quality game..............Hearts were very poor.

GOALS ………. 1. Goal of the Season! A good free kick but always the goalkeeper´s ball and he punched it out well but he didn´t realise how good wee Shaun is.

2. A corner which was not dealt with by Hearts allowed McDonald to bravely put his head to ball bringing off a good save but it fell to Caldwell who, whilst leaning on the goalpost scrambled the ball in.



COMMENTS ….. 1. A good 3 points and a game which allowed Celtic to take their foot off the pedal.

2. GS allowed Sheridan to play the full 90 mins which might indicate that he is not planning to start with him on Wednesday.

3. A point on Wed would give us an all important advantage in our battle with Aalborg for the UEFA slot. I do not expect Aalborg to pick up any points against either Villa or Man U.