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.
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