PRE - MATCH COMMENT:
A great pre-match build up started on Tuesday with a game of golf in the company of the CQN Champion, the runner up and 2 also rans at Gleneagles (Kings - fabulous!).This time the runner up and one of the also rans were the deserved victors. A full strategy on how to defeat the Gunners was rolled out over a fish supper in Auchterarder (remember the Bearsden ski club visits John McI?) and I left early on Wednesday expecting a Celtic victory along the lines of 7 - 1 (in reality all I wanted was for Celtic to score a goal!).
BORUC……………..7 My seat was so close to the players that I could almost have touched Artur as he dived for that ball. He could easily have grabbed the ball but decided to let it run out for a goal kick and then had the total frustration of watching the cheating Brazilian/Croat dive and win a penalty!!! Artur was once again blameless for the goals and looked very solid otherwise.
HINKEL……………6 Sent over a great cross for Donati's goal but that apart was far too busy trying to keep Clichy under control. When defending he still gives his opponent too much space on the wing.
LOOVENS……..…8 MOM Once again when he is up against the top class players he shows his best qualities.
CALDWELL.........4 Was rightly subbed at half time as it was obvious that his lack of pace was going to earn him a red card.
FOX..........……….6 Even when moved up in the second half he never stopped trying.
McGEADY……......7 Thought he was the only outfield player who troubled Arsenal. Mowbray knew the game was over when he rightly subbed him early in the second half.
BROWN.....…… ..6 I could not fault his endeavour nor passion but why, oh why can some coach not get him to pass the ball with less pace?.
DONATI…………. 6 Scored a really good goal but whilst he gave 100% (except in the tackle!) his passing was again not up to his normal standard.
MALONEY……….5 Never in the game.
FORTUNE………..4 Unless he quickly displays more heart and passion to go with his good football brain he is going to find it hard to win over the Celtic faithful.
McDONALD……..5 He tried but he was up against a top quality defence who never allowed him much room.
SUBS
O'DEA..................6 Felt happier with him at the center of our defence than with Caldwell.
REF.....................3 So the same ref that was conned by Italy in the Scotland managed to do it again............it's a disgrace.
GAME………………6 I felt that the best that Celtic could achieve would have been to hold Arsenal to a draw but to be honest even that was beyond us.
GOALS............ .....1. So there we have it, a deflected goal, an own goal and now a cheating penalty! Having said that their other two goals were full of good football.
2. A great cross ball by Hinkel and a sumptuous strike by Donati meant that I had my goal.
COMMENTS: 1. I wanted to compare the Emirates with Celtic Park and whilst it is more modern it just does not have the same intimidating effect nor does it house supporters anything like as passionate as our own. It was only after we goaded them with insults did they try and raise a song in support of their team.
A great pre-match build up started on Tuesday with a game of golf in the company of the CQN Champion, the runner up and 2 also rans at Gleneagles (Kings - fabulous!).This time the runner up and one of the also rans were the deserved victors. A full strategy on how to defeat the Gunners was rolled out over a fish supper in Auchterarder (remember the Bearsden ski club visits John McI?) and I left early on Wednesday expecting a Celtic victory along the lines of 7 - 1 (in reality all I wanted was for Celtic to score a goal!).
BORUC……………..7 My seat was so close to the players that I could almost have touched Artur as he dived for that ball. He could easily have grabbed the ball but decided to let it run out for a goal kick and then had the total frustration of watching the cheating Brazilian/Croat dive and win a penalty!!! Artur was once again blameless for the goals and looked very solid otherwise.
HINKEL……………6 Sent over a great cross for Donati's goal but that apart was far too busy trying to keep Clichy under control. When defending he still gives his opponent too much space on the wing.
LOOVENS……..…8 MOM Once again when he is up against the top class players he shows his best qualities.
CALDWELL.........4 Was rightly subbed at half time as it was obvious that his lack of pace was going to earn him a red card.
FOX..........……….6 Even when moved up in the second half he never stopped trying.
McGEADY……......7 Thought he was the only outfield player who troubled Arsenal. Mowbray knew the game was over when he rightly subbed him early in the second half.
BROWN.....…… ..6 I could not fault his endeavour nor passion but why, oh why can some coach not get him to pass the ball with less pace?.
DONATI…………. 6 Scored a really good goal but whilst he gave 100% (except in the tackle!) his passing was again not up to his normal standard.
MALONEY……….5 Never in the game.
FORTUNE………..4 Unless he quickly displays more heart and passion to go with his good football brain he is going to find it hard to win over the Celtic faithful.
McDONALD……..5 He tried but he was up against a top quality defence who never allowed him much room.
SUBS
O'DEA..................6 Felt happier with him at the center of our defence than with Caldwell.
FLOOD............... 5 He tried but I still feel that his success will come playing with another club.
KILLEN................5 Surely someone will come in for him before the transfer window closes?
KILLEN................5 Surely someone will come in for him before the transfer window closes?
REF.....................3 So the same ref that was conned by Italy in the Scotland managed to do it again............it's a disgrace.
GAME………………6 I felt that the best that Celtic could achieve would have been to hold Arsenal to a draw but to be honest even that was beyond us.
GOALS............ .....1. So there we have it, a deflected goal, an own goal and now a cheating penalty! Having said that their other two goals were full of good football.
2. A great cross ball by Hinkel and a sumptuous strike by Donati meant that I had my goal.
COMMENTS: 1. I wanted to compare the Emirates with Celtic Park and whilst it is more modern it just does not have the same intimidating effect nor does it house supporters anything like as passionate as our own. It was only after we goaded them with insults did they try and raise a song in support of their team.
2. Arsenal deserve to go through and we will now have the chance to be the first winners of the Europa League (Celtic are good at that sort of thing). More importantly Celtic must concentrate on regaining what is rightly theirs, i.e. the Championship.
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