MATCH REPORT:  CELTIC  3  HIBS  1

PRE-MATCH COMMENT: The day started off  well with Andy Murray producing the best tennis that I have seen from a British player, then 'Walter' lost his courage and dropped Scotland's top scorer which resulted in only taking 1 point from Pittodrie. Surely Celtic will take advantage and stretch their lead to 4 pts?

BORUC ….……....5  So pleased to see him back and he wasn't troubled much throughout the game but still managed to fail to cut out the cross which led to Hibs goal.

HINKEL..... ……..6  In the second half we saw the best of Hinkel as he attacked down the wing but there is something  lacking from his overall contribution..

CALDWELL......... 6 Steady enough but not the dominant player he was earlier this season.

McMANUS…. … ..5 Guilty of poor marking at the Hibs goal and it is definitely time for him to be rested. If the story is true about Newcastle prepared to pay 4m for him I would take the opportunity to let him go. He is 100% Celtic and he put in some great tackles, his goal scoring record is high for a centre back but his lack of ability on the ground and failure to dominate in the air are his weakness.

NAYLOR...….……6  Glad to see him rather than Robson and in the first half he was impressive with his surging runs and link up play with McGeady but in the second half his inability to make a decisive final pass came back to remind us as to why he will never be the answer to Celtic's left back problem.

CROSAS........... 6 There were times when you forgot he was playing but then you noticed his calm approach in taking the ball and making simple but effective passes. He's a young guy but I do think he will be a big asset if he is given a run in the team.

BROWN…..…......8  MOM  It was a game in which he made very few poor passes and he maintained his performance for the full 90 mins. His contribution at the 3rd goal was of top European quality.

McGEADY.... …….8 In the first 45 mins he was unplayable! His skill level was back at his top level. He produced one bit of magic on the bye-line that had the crowd on its feet. In the second half when he was plying his trade on the GS part of the pitch his contribution dropped slightly and if only he would look up more his final pass would reach a teammate more than it just being an aimless ball. 

NAKA.................6 He was involved in all three goals and his use of dead balls was back to the high level of previous seasons. Surprised that GS doesn't sub him more than he does considering his forthcoming  international trip

JVOH................6  Should have scored a couple of goals but you can see the difference he makes when leading the line.

McDONALD....... 7  Scored two typical poacher type goals and continues his improvement in overall play.

SUBS:

LOOVENS ............ 5  Came on for the injured McManus but didn't do anything of note that would make you feel that he should replace the Captain.

SAMARAS............4 

REF…………...... (Colum) 7  He might have given a penalty and he might have decided that Bamba actions deserved two yellow cards but overall did well.

THE GAME ……8 Games against Hibs are usually worth the money and today was no different. Hibs started off with three forwards and Celtic played more of the ball on the ground.

GOALS ………. 1.Naka takes a corner, JVOH brings a good save from the keeper and McDonald pokes the rebound home.

                         2. Naka sends over another corner which causes a stramash in the penalty box and eventually our Captain scores.

                         3. A free kick fro over 30yds in not defended well and Boruc decides to come and then hesitates, result?...a goal.

                        4.  A lovely chip pass by Naka is met be the 'Gerard' type run of Brown who, with a lot still to do, beats the Hibs player on the bye line before setting up McDonald. A great move.

COMMENTS ….. 1. The first 20 mins were a joy to watch with football being played the Celtic way and Crosas was making the difference. A Dundee type hiatus threatened after Hibs score but Celtic ran out comfortable winners.

                             2. Now only 6 goals behind Rangers.

                                    3. Celtic have now conceded 25 goals in this SPL campaign, just one fewer than they conceded in all of last season's championship. Something has to be done to rectify this situation.