PRE - MATCH COMMENT:
I am going to sit down in front of the telly with my chest deliberately puffed out as an act of defiance as a result of, what I thought, over the top criticism of the team and the Manager after the home game.
BORUC……………..7 Had very little to do but once again went through a game with only professionalism shining through. The Holy Goalie is back with a bang rather than a swagger.
HINKEL……………8 Started the game a little hesitantly but the longer the game went on the more aggressive and confident he became. There was also the little matter of his two goal line clearances.
CALDWELL………8 Played a Captains game urging the team on in a way that McManus never did and he also found time to play a vital part in keeping a clean sheet. Of course he could not resist showing what a skillful player he is and all our hearts were in our mouths.
LOOVENS………..8 He is making the position his own and deservedly so.
FOX..........………...7 A very promising first competitive start and one I doubt if Naylor could have emulated. The really good news is that, as he understands more the style of play of the team, his obvious skill on the ball and natural attacking bent will prove to be very important in Celtic winning back the title.
MALONEY…….....7 He was the player that I thought was going to play a pivotal part in influencing the game and he should have when put through after some lovely one touch play with Brown. Cannot fault him for his effort.
N'GUEMY……….. 8 MOM Had a good first 60 mins in the first game but to-night he played the 90 mins in a style that is going to make the 1.5m fee a real bargain. He doesn't make all his passes count but he makes enough to make him stand out. Looking forward to seeing how he copes when making his first visit to Castle Greyskull.
DONATI…………. 7 He is still an enigma! His style of play is a much more laborious one but his ability and awareness of space makes him a talented player.
McGEADY……….7 Covered as much ground as Naka used to do and he was always closely marked but his final pass/cross still leaves a lot to be desired.
FORTUNE………6 I believe that to use the word striker for him is a mistake. I don't think he was bought as one and I don't think he plays as one but I do think he has a great awareness of space and it was from such an awareness that the first goal came from.
McDONALD……6 Made his usual awful first touch and poor passes but he was so clinical in his positional play to score the vital first goal and that is in essence what he is there for.
SUBS
BROWN.......................8 Replaced Fortune and played in a front attacking position. He revelled in the role and caused problems every time he was on the ball. An inspired substitution.
SAMARAS..................7 Replaced McDonald. Delighted for him when he scored such a good vital goal. Perhaps some of his critics will now give him a little bit of rope. He is a talented enigma.
REF ............………...8 He may be a billionaire but he's also a very good ref.
GAME………………9 Loved it! Although Moscow defended they did so with one eye always on the break. Mowbray's belief in his style of football shone through and he is the Manager who has finally laid the ghost of our awful away record.
COMMENTS…………1. Celtic have had only one previous competitive match but there was no sign of any lack of match sharpness to-night.
2. It will be a brave man who now question the decision to appoint T.M. as the Manager. His substitutions were inspired and his style of play justified.
3.Can't wait until the draw on Friday. Would take Lyon or Stuttgart. Two fine cities and I've waited along time to expunge the Bobo handball.
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