MATCH REPORT: CELTIC 1 Falkirk 1

PRE-MATCH COMMENT:. Celtic played the corresponding game back in Aug 2008 when a sparkling performance from Maloney, who made his first re-appearance as a substitute, set Samaras up for 2 goals and brought a style of play which I am excitedly hoping to watch to-day. Celtic 4 - 0. In 2007 McGeady scored a hat-trick so he might well be to-days star man?



BORUC ….…….5 I'm beginning to despair if Boruc ever putting to-gether a run of clean sheets. If I was rating over this season and last season I would probably rate him as "average" It would not worry me if Zaluska was preferred to him at the moment.

HINKEL.... ….. 4 Thought he started shakily and did not improve as the game went on. He was sone of many whose lack of physicality was so obvious t-day.

O'DEA....….…. 3 Those supporters who have shouted for his inclusion as a first pick now know the answer! The Reading Manager spotted it early and hardly played him. At the Falkirk goal he was just brushed aside.

McMANUS…. …4 Luckily for him he had to go off injured and was spared any more of showing us how far his standards have fallen.

NAYLOR …….….3 My heart dropped when I learned he was in the team The heart never lies! How this guy is still on our books is beyond me.

McGEADY …. …..4 Picked the wrong day to believe all the recent hype re. his value. On to-day's showing you would bite someone's hand off for 5m. Even when he decided to pass the ball (which wasn't often) he failed.

CROSAS………..5 Was played in a more forward position position which did not really suit his natural game. He's not quick and has problems getting back if he is caught out.

ZHI. ...………… 6 One of only 2 players to enhance their reputations. He was calm and tried to get forward as much as possible. should be given a run.

KI........ ……… 7 MOM For a young 20 year old to to show that he will be able to hold his own in such a disjointed team bodes well for the future. Was unlucky with a good free kick.

FORTUNE…….. 4 Missed an open goal and did very little else to suggest that he could be played up front. No physical impact at all.

SAMARAS.... …..5 He scored a good goal when for once he struck a shot with power but for the rest of the game he was the 'namby pamby' we see too often.




SUBS

THOMPSON…………. 5 Did better than either of his senior central defenders and is too young to really judge but a worrying lack of pace.

McGINN ………. 4 Failed to have any real impact

McCOURT …... 5 Pity he had not come on earlier as he might well have been the catalyst for breaking down the defence.




REF…………. () 3 Was completely conned by the time wasting tactics of Falkirk and never gave one 50/50 decision to Celtic.

THE GAME ……3 Just awful. Rating: 4.6 (the two games against the bottom team in the league have produced the two worst performances). Possession: 58%

COMMENTS ….. 1. Celtic are now 4pts worse off having played the same teams and are 9pts behind a team that is 30m+ in financial trouble, have not been able to sign any new players for nearly 2 yrs, play badly and win! One has to ask is the Board's infamous financial prudence paying dividends?..........................I think not!

2.TM was interviewed before the game and said " we will not make excuses because of injuries, etc". In his aftermath interview he just went on and on about the missing players! Does he inspire in his interviews?.............NO! Does he inspire the players?............I doubt it! Does he inspire the fans? ...................NO!

3. We have one of the least physical teams I've seen in a Celtic strip for many a year. We will probably win the Fair Play trophy this season!

4. An "interesting game"....................I think not!

5. Celtic may still win the League but it will only come about by our rivals failing rather than Celtic being so dominant.