END of SEASON REPORT 2008/9

Thought I would move directly on to the summary of season 2008/9 rather than go through the motions of a report on the Hearts game. It does not really matter how many goals we scored or how many we let in, what does matter is how many points were achieved and this year we lost the League by 4 pts and that is after being 8pts clear at one time!

                        TOTAL PTS

2008/9                  82

2007/8                  89

2006/7                  83

2005/6                  91

2004/5                  92

One other aspect is how each player performed and I have listed this season's squad showing games played (substitute appearances), average marks out of 10 for the season(if played in more than 10 games), MOM and a comment re. suitability for season 2009/10.

                                     App. Av. Marks MOM Comment

BALDE What a complete waste of money for this season and neither the Manager, the players or the Board can take any pride from the way this situation was allowed to stagnate.

BORUC 46 6.20 1 Although not as good as last season it was good to see him overcome his sticky patch and return to his best for the run in. Would be no 1 if he decides to stay but that I doubt.

BROWN Should be sold.

BROWN 47 6.38 3 Along with Caldwell he is the only one to improve his rating as compared to l.y. A wonderfully industrious player but also a player who needs to improve his passing and shooting. Should be in next season's squad unless some club offers 10m.

CADDIS Was loaned out to Dundee U in January and will be welcomed back to the squad hopefully as an improved player.

CALDWELL 47 6.57 7 Celtic's most consistent player and an automatic pick for next season.

CROSAS 20(2) 5.95 2 A talented player who has to become more aggressive if he is to justify Celtic paying 1.5m to Barca.

DONATI A player who has fallen out of favour with the manager and should be transferred.

FLOOD The only purchase in January and one who has been rarely seen since. His best position is midfield and I feel he will replace Hartley.

HARTLEY 33(6) 5.88 2 I think his best days are behind him although proved to be a good buy. Would let him move on.

HINKEL 41 5.76 1 After a slow start improved as the season went on. Best as an attacking wing back. Would keep him.

HUTCHINSON He only managed 3 appearances as a sub and was injured for the last few months. Top scorer in the reserves and should be given more of a chance next season.

JVOH 30(10) 5.27 2 I often thought that if GS had not such a loyalty for him we might have signed a decent striker to replace him. Must go.

KILLEN A complete and utter waste of time and money.

LOOVENS 23(3) 5.83 3 Was not impressed by him initially but he has recently proved to be a better choice than McManus. Made him MOM against Hearts. Must keep.

MALONEY 31(7) 5.19 2 Even allowing for his injuries I was disappointed in his performances. Hoping for better next season.

McCOURT A low cost purchase who might, just might prove to the flair player Celtic have been missing.

McDONALD 50(2) 5.38 5 Had an awful start to the season but came back on form and certainly did not fail Celtic through lack of effort. Felt sorry for him with regard to the striking partners he was asked to play alongside. A must for next season.

McGEADY 40(8) 5.93 3 Not as good as last season but no failure. Has to learn how to score more often. Amazingly dropped for the last Rangers game.Hopefully he'll be here next season.

McGOWAN Only 1 appearance as a sub and I don't think there is much chance for him.

McMANUS 41 5.85 A captain courageous but not good enough for a regular pick next season and I would not be surprised if he left.

CONROY The nearest he has come is being on the bench and he's another young player who should be let go.

MIZUNO 10(8) 5.30 I don't know where he vanished to for the run in but I would keep faith with him for next season.

NAKA 40(3) 6.00 4 Thanks for the memories.

NAYLOR 29(4) 5.83 2 Goodbye

O'DEA 16(5) 5.44 If he is going to make it it will not be at full back.

ROBSON 23(6) 5.39 1 We missed him not being fully fit and he might have made the difference.

SAMARAS 40(14) 5.28 4 If only he had not gone to play for his country he might well have maintained his remarkable early form. Goodbye.

SHERIDAN 16(7) 5.00 1 Maybe his loan spell will have made him a player of Celtic quality but I doubt it.

WILSON 24(4) 5.83 2 Still have hopes for him if only he could get himself fit.

Av. for the season               5.70

MANAGER There is no question that he has been a successful manager for Celtic but it has been apparent for some time that he has not delivered in terms of his promises. He promised improved team performances each season. He has not delivered the quick passing, attacking style of play he promised and he has not enhanced Celtic's reputation in terms of handling the media. He has managed a Celtic team that has lost a Championship by 4pts to a team that at very best could only be described as average.

I hope he recognises that this is the right time to stand down.

Ah! I feel better now that I've got all of it off my chest. Still a proud and faithful Celtic supporter.

MATCH REPORT: HIBS 0 CELTIC 0

PRE - MATCH COMMENT:

Another glitch means that I will not be sitting at Easter Road cheering on the team. Do not have a problem with the team selection but I do know it is a game we must win!

 

BORUC……………..7  Had only one real save to make and he did that very well.

 

HINKEL……………6    He did o.k. but I wanted to see much more of him in an attacking role, it could have made all the difference.

 

CALDWELL………7     Kept both Riordan and Fletcher well under control and he also did all he could to influence the result.

 

LOOVENS………..7      MOM   Strolled through his defensive duties and was always looking for the opportunity to score from the corner kicks. 

 

NAYLOR………..6      Can't fail him for his effort and he was willing to go forward and create chances. 

 

NAKA……………..6      His defensive work has improved so much and you could not fault his application. Just was unable to create that golden chance to give us victory.

 

BROWN……….. 5      A frustrating afternoon in which his early endeavours tended to make you think that this was going to be his game but it did not work out like that. For Scotland's POTY I keep looking for a more creative part to his game.

 

HARTLEY…………. 6      He did a lot of good breaking down work and as the game wore on he was seen in a much more attacking mould but his legs do not move as fast as they used to.

 

McGEADY…………6     Another player who tried and tried but he just could not break through a very good Hibs defence.

 

SAMARAS……………… 5     Was hoping that his natural skill would provide a couple of golden opportunities but he just doesn't have that extra bit of determination that is essential.

 

McDONALD……….........5    Only had two really good chances but it wasn't to be his day. Was well shackled by Jones.

SUBS:

JVOH…………….6  Replaced Samaras and did bring an more positive approach to the game

 

MALONEY………5 Was disappointed that he had no real impact when he came on for Brown.

REF (Brines)………7  Had no real major decisions to make and he did book 7 Hibs players.

 

GAME………………7   It was a good game in so far as you had one team who defended superbly and the other who launched attack after attack.

 

COMMENTS…………1.   The result was very disappointing and just because there is still one more game to play it doesn't mean that we should not face up to the reality of the situation:

                                        a)   I have yet to meet a Rangers supporter who thinks that their team is playing good football and yet, at the end of the season, we have to rely on them stumbling for Celtic to win the League.

                                        b)  Despite having the majority of possession in most games GS has still not found a system that can result in that benefit resulting in a victory in the big games.

                                        c)  I had forgotten how we grew up supporting a team who believed in fast, attacking football until I went along to a reserve game at C.P. a few weeks ago. Their style of play ensured that not only would goals come but it also kept even the most critical supporter silent.

                                         d)  Whether Celtic win the League or not it cannot disguise the fact that the style of play by Celtic is not as attractive as it should be.

2   I do think that Dundee U will not lose to Rangers next week and I do expect Celtic to beat Hearts but I expected so much more.

MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 2 DUNDEE U 1

PRE - MATCH COMMENT:

Due to a family wedding I was unable to take my seat at Ibrox and although I have watched the game I I found no enthusiasm to to do a Match Report but I, like everyone else, was totally bemused by GS's decision not to start with McGeady!

 

BORUC……………..8   MOM  When the going got tough in the second half, Artur was just what we needed. Pulled off a wonderful save from Sandaza in the first half. Great to see him back to his best.

 

HINKEL……………6    Had a good match especially in an an attacking role but blotted his copybook by not defending properly in the build up to United's goal.

 

CALDWELL………7     A typically sound display from the 'Player of The Year' and at last given the Captain's armband.

 

LOOVENS………..7      His ability in the air gives us the dominance we so badly miss most games. His pace is also a big asset. It will be interesting to see what GS does when McManus is back. Scored the goal with a really top class header.

 

NAYLOR………..5      His crossing was good but his passing was woeful.

 

NAKA……………..5      Lots of energy and commitment but, apart from his good corner kick, did not really split the defence open often enough. Missed a golden opportunity to score the third goal when clean through..

 

BROWN……….. 5      Good to have him back. He huffed and puffed around the park but to little effect. Did have a couple of great surging runs.

 

CROSAS…………. 5      Unfortunately, this talented player is finding it difficult to make his mark in a game when the pressure and pace are high.

 

McGEADY…………6     Wa always a threat and wanted to be involved but both his shooting and final ball are still below the level the rest of his play indicates.

 

SAMARAS……………… 6     Scored a goal and was very comfortable being involved in the nice one, twos but I was hoping for more. 

 

McDONALD………..5    It was a night in which the ball bounced badly for him or his first touch was not as good as has been but he never stopped trying.

SUBS:

 

HARTLEY…………….6  Replaced Crosas and brought a bite to midfield that had been missing.

 

FLOOD……………5  Replaced Naka and his approach was a much more direct one.

JVOH........6  Troubled the United defence in the air and was generally effective.

 

REF (Dougal)………5  One of the best aspects of last night's match was, when the final whistle blew, I knew that we would never again have to sit through another nervous 90 mins wondering what he was about to decide.

 

GAME………………….8   Dundee U always are involved in good games with Celtic due to their ability to pass the ball quickly and move forward directly, last night was no exception. Celtic, at times, played some lovely one touch attacking football (with Samaras usually involved) but on other occasions they were back to their nervous worst.

 

COMMENTS…………1.   Dundee had not beaten Celtic for about 36 games but they had drawn a few recently so last night's result was very important.

2   Last night's result with Hearts was quite good for Celtic. The vital thing is for Dundee U to have something to play for when Rangers visit them. If they win their next game and Celtic beat Hibs then maybe they could really help us.

3.  It was pity that we only improved our goal difference by 1 but at least our 'goals for' increased by 2. It may well come down to that after the final whistle.

MATCH REPORT: ABERDEEN 1 CELTIC 3

PRE - MATCH COMMENT:

Pleased that Caldwell was not moved into midfield and delighted that Boruc was in goal this time. The win is essential regardless of performance – or is that misguided support?

 

BORUC……………..7   Back to his best and apart from his mad dash from the penalty area (he did move quite quickly though) he handled everything with professionalism. Pity he doesn’t start more attacks with decisive throw outs.

 

HINKEL……………6    Wasn’t seen much in an attacking mode except for the move that led to the second goal. Handled Saluko well.

 

CALDWELL………6     Had a very shaky first 45mins but became more like the player he has been this season in the second. Made a great tackle to stop a certain goal.

 

McMANUS………..4      Was obviously not 100% fit. Slow in the tackle, weak in the air and too prone to give away fouls. It was he who stupidly brought down McGuire for the free kick which led to the goal.

 

NAYLOR………….6      Had his usual moments of slack play but in the second half he was an important source of attacking play.

 

NAKA……………..5      Apart from flicking on the ball for McDonalds 2^nd goal he was not influential but it has to be said that he was always working hard for the team.

 

HARTLEY……….. 5      Had a great shot in the first 45mins but that apart he failed to seize the opportunity to make us all feel less nervous about missing ‘Broonie’. Thought his apparent lack of pace to be the most worrying aspect.

 

CROSAS…………. 5      He showed on several occasions that he has the vision and footballing brain but never imposed himself on the game in the way I was hoping for.

 

McGEADY…………6     He may not have been involved in any of the moves which led to a goal (apart from being fouled at the first) but he was always the one player, apart from Skippy, who was proving to be a thorn in the Aberdeen defence. He certainly passed the ball more than normal.

 

JVOH……………… 4     It was too much to hope for, that after his MOM performance against the Dons 2 weeks ago, he would produce 2 good games in a row. I really do wonder if Celtic would have been worse off if they had played with only 10 men as JVOH only displayed again what a leaden footed, slow thinking footballer he is.

 

McDONALD………..9     MOM  Even if he hadn’t scored any goals he would still have been MOM. He was the only outfield player in the first 45 mins who played to his ability and showed the desire to be Champions again. His 2^nd goal was right up there with the best that Jimmy Greaves had poached in his career and his 3^rd goal (which was also his 50^th for Celtic) just ensured a happy afternoon for all of us.

SUBS:

 

LOOVENS…………….6  Thought he brought a composure to the defence that had been missing in the first 45 mins. Would not be at all worried if he is in the same position next Sat.

 

MALONEY……………5  Only on for 3 mins which surprised me as I thought he could have come on much earlier in place of Naka.

 

REF (McDonald)………5  A big improvement on his last performance but still a ‘silly’ referee.

 

GAME………………….6   From a Celtic view the first 45 mins were just awful but the second half produced a performance that reminded me that Celtic can actually play football.

 

COMMENTS…………1.   Why, oh why does our defence continue to give away needless fouls in dangerous areas when we play against Aberdeen? Every time Mulgrew stepped up to take a free kick/corner my heart was in my mouth.

2            The next game is against Rangers and the two questions are  a)  Should Loovens play instead of McManus?

        b)   Should Caldwell move into midfield in place of either   Hartley/Crosas if McManus is fit?