A miserable performance from Celtic who were out-thought and out-fought in the first Glasgow derby of the season. Both teams approached the game with some serious momentum but despite taking a first half lead Celtic capitulated when the challenge was laid down by Rangers and deserved nothing more than the zero points they collected.
Ratings*
Forster – 4 Dealt capably with some relatively straightforward early efforts from Rangers and looked composed while Majstorovic was dominating in front of him. The second half was a different matter as he failed to deal with backpasses and looked panicked by any sort of pressure. Suspicion on the first goal that he was neither commanding of his area or of his goalline.
Wilson – 2 A hapless performance that was much more reminiscent of his recent efforts than last week’s display in Dundee. Wilson was wasteful with the ball, slow in getting forward, slower in retreating and provided no positive contributions in an attacking or defensive sense.
Majstorovic – 4.5 The big Swede was aerially dominant in the first half and was one of the few who looked prepared to try and pass the ball, rather than play for territory. Most of this confidence was quickly eroded after the interval and he looked uncertain under pressure and was far from convincing in his efforts to clear his line. Had a role in all three goals and while not directly or solely culpable this was a disappointing derby debut.
Loovens – 2 The latest in a long line of horrible performances against Rangers. Loovens is regularly bullied by strikers half his size. He is inept in possession and seemingly afraid of getting on the ball. Constantly launched long balls forward, ignoring the more talented and better placed Ki in front of him. An embarrassment to be frank.
Izaguirre – 5 Slow to settle as the occasion seemed to unnerve him early on. Persevered and showed good energy in supporting attacks while keeping an eye on Naismith at the other end. Needs to work on getting effective crosses into the box with more regularity.
Ki – 5 Not a physically strong central midfielder but he’s not as weak as he was and is at least prepared to get involved in battles, even if not always successful. Doesn’t seem well used in the current system and needs to work on taking more responsibility with the ball. There’s merit in avoiding contact and passing the ball into space but Ki has to move forward with the ball more himself in order to be more threatening.
Ledley – 4.25 Reasonably composed on the ball but simply not involved enough. Seemingly under instruction to play the same role as last week without advancing forward as often but that just restricted his impact and left him isolated.
Juarez – 5 Energetic and somewhat effective effort from the Mezican international. Like others looked unsure of his role in the first half when he was introduced but switched to the right hand side for most of the second half and showed well for the ball. Worked a couple of little triangles with Ki and Hooper but was a bit exposed by Wilson behind him who offered nothing more than a decoy threat at best.
Stokes – 3 Receives more marks than Wilson and Loovens because he seemed to try more and at least looked like he could conceivably well well on another day if things broke for him. Appalling in possession though and confidence deserted him long before he was replaced. Not a right winger on this evidence and would be much more of a threat around the box, or at least cutting in onto his right foot.
http://thefreekick.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/samaras-mcculloch-300x167.jpgSamaras – 4 Put in a decent shift in terms of effort and actually took a few difficult passes in his stride really well in the second half. But every single time he managed that he subsequently gave it away. Positive marks are for being involved and at least taking them on but the real story is that he didn’t make a pass of note all day and had maybe one shot in the entire game. Not the answer I’m afraid.
Hooper – 5.5 Took his goal well as you’d expect from a striker in form. Not really involved in general play but couldn’t really abandon his position up front with Samaras and Stokes playing wide. Showed good strength a number of times and was unfortunate to be penalised a number of times for outmuscling defenders. Promising more than effective however.
McCourt – 1 Nowhere near the standard required when he came on.
- Ratings were compiled as a composite average of marks awarded by TFK staff writers Rocko and Bandage.