MATCH REPORT:   FALKIRK  0 CELTIC  3 

PRE-MATCH COMMENT: Losing to-day at Falkirk might not mean that Celtic will still not be Champions but, if in the losing, the Club is torn apart as a result of the McGeady incident, then it will be a sad day. For that reason mainly, I just wish that the 3 pts are Celtic's at the end of the game, no matter how we have played.

BORUC ….……....6  Had very little to do but was beaten by the shot that came off the post.

HINKLE...... …….7 Was very impressive in the first half with his attacking runs and he also sent over some good crosses. 

LOOVENS......... 5  Not convinced about him as he is neither dominant in the air or pacy enough on the ground.

O'DEA…. … ..6  He is a player who is comfortable on the ball, uses his physique well to win tackles and has good positional sense but he is not dominant in the air and is slow. He did make a vital goaline clearance but he is either so calm or completely one footed as a right foot hoof would have saved quite a few hearts in the mouth

NAYLOR...…. ……6  He enjoyed the space that was created by Mizuno's clever play and I doubt if McGeady would released as often as Mizuno.

CALDWELL......... 6  Playing midfield again but fortunately this time his team won! Played well but still trying the difficult pass when the  simpler pass would have sufficed.

BROWN…..…......6  His best work was again in the breaking down aspect.

NAKA....... ……..6   A cold, wet windy day and Naka just don't go well to-gether. He tried but that little bit extra wasn't there to-day. Did supply McDonald with a great pass to set up his goal and of course made the 'dream'pass to Mizuno.

MIZUNO..........8 Taking into account that this was his first start and the weather conditions, I thought he had a great game. He's fast, he's committed, he hardly wasted a ball and scored an excellent goal. He had said in an interview recently that his dream was to score a goal for Celtic after receiving a pass from Naka..............he must be a very happy guy to-night.

SAMARAS..........4  He might have scored the important opening goal and could easily have scored a hat-trick but overall he was so disappointing.

McDONALD....... 8  MON There is no doubting that he is a more complete footballer this season. His touch is better, he links play better and his commitment is still as high. He worked non - stop for the team setting up Samaras for his goal and everyone would have been delighted that he stopped his 'goal drought' with a good goal. A good omen  for Ibrox.

SUBS:

SHERIDAN ............5  On for Samaras.

REF…………...... (Smith) 6  Didn't really notice him until he decided to book Mizuno for celebrating with his own fans.

THE GAME ……6  The conditions meant that it was never going to be great spectacle

GOALS ………. 1.McDonald actually was involved at the very beginning by forcing the goalkeeper to kick his clearance for a shy. He then made himself available for the shy, turned the defender and hooked the ball across the goal where Samaras re-acted well to head in.

                                 2. Naka played a lovely pass which allowed Mizuno to show that he has a good burst of pace and a bit of strength which took him past the defender and ever so coolly put the ball in the corner of the net.

                                 3. Another Naka pass, this time releasing McDonald who had to take the ball wide of the goalkeeper before slamming the ball home.

COMMENTS ….. 1. For me, apart from the 3pts, the most pleasing aspect was the vocal support given by the away fans with nomention of you know who!

                                       2. I would be concerned if this was our central defence against Rangers as they were so weak in the air and so slow to turn.

                                       3. With the present economic downturn it was a perfect time to deliver a 'new' Naka. I'm sure that the Japaneses media will have Koki's goal all over the screens/front pages. This will re-generate all sort of interest in Celtic. 

                                      4. The last 4 mins will have given our team and support a great lift before the trip across the river.

                                      5. Trivia question: When before has there been a 'longer haired' Celtic team? I give you Loovens, Mizuno, Naka and Samaras.