Was pleased that we were going with the same team and my only concern was the fact that Higdon was starting for Falkirk as he's a player who always gives our central pair a lot of problems in the air. Also interested how the four ex-Celts, plus the one who had hoped to be one, perform
Boruc 7 A very competent, assured, competent display.
Hinkel 5 His distribution was very poor, his confidence appeared low but he performed a brilliant piece of skill which led to McGeady scoring a great goal.
McManus 7 Made one mistake but that apart he was rock solid.
Caldwell 7 Was up against Higdon and to start with he was founding it a handful but went on to have him in his back pocket. Made a typical trademark goal stopping tackle and then went up field to score the opening goal.
O'Dea 6 Another defender who started nervously but he settled down and scored a good goal.
Nakamura 6 His main contribution was in his superb deliveries but I doubt if there was another player who covered the amount of ground he did.
Brown 7 The only blot on a typical non stop performance was his booking. Almost certain to miss the Rangers game.
Crosas 7 Celtic have never lost a game when he has started a match and it is easy to see why. He makes himself available to take the pass, he very rarely misplaces his own pass and he brings an element of class to the whole team.
McGeady 8 MOM Right from the start he was up for it. His pace, his attacking runs and of course his superb strike mad him the automatic choice. That's three goals in four games.....not bad.
Samaras 5 Only lasted about 15 mins before going off with an injury which rules him out of the Hearts game.
McDonald 5 He seems to have lost that wee burst of speed since returning form Australia and, although he did some good linking work, his first touch and passing were often atrocious.
Subs
Mizuno 5 These little cameos will hold him in good stead for next season
Venegoor 5 It is amazing that for a Dutch international striker how little pace he has, how poor his first touch is and how lacking in the physical side of the game he is. He did give a lot of effort, he did win a lot of balls in the air and he was very unlucky not to score with a great header. His goal was slightly further out than his one on Sat!
McCourt 5 He's not fast but he is very comfortable on the ball and will look forward to seeing how he performs next year.
Referee (Collum) 5 Let too many tackles go unpunished.
GAME: 7 After a shaky first 10 mins, Celtic took control and turned in a very professional performance.
COMMENTS: 1. The first time this season that Celtic field an unchanged side, unfortunately it will not be 3iar.
2. You have to back to the Hibs/Hearts games to find two consecutive clean sheets in the league.
3. After the half time score at St Mirren it was good to hear that our goal difference had improved to 4 and that our goals scored is 10 better. This might be the difference at the end of the season.
Goals 1 A delightful free kick by Naka which was flicked on by McDonald to allow Caldwell to smash it into the net.
2 Goalkeeper fumbles a cross from Naka, it hits big Jan's knee and goes into the net.
3 Brilliant work by Hinkel sets up McGeady who drives a superb 20yarder into the net.
4 A made in defence goal with Caldwell and McManus involved in the build up. A great cross into the box by McManus finds O'Dea powering in to score.
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