Fraser ForsterĀ 6- The big fella had very little to do however was slow off his line twice in the first half which led to a few nervy moments. Saying that was very quick off his line when Naismith raced through and there was no way the wee diver was gonnae beat Forster a second time.
Mark Wilson 7- The Celtic bhoys right back was fantastic, was very rarely beaten by Diouf as Rangers desperately tried to exploit our Mark. Maybe 2 years ago Wattie, but this bhoy Wilson has now added improved defensive capabilities to his game and is rapidly becoming one of the first names on Neil Lennon’s board every weekend.
Daniel Majstorovic 8 – Superb. The big man absolutely dominated the Rangers ‘attack’ as he strolled his way through another game. Played a terrific one touch pass on the volley out wide to Ki as Celtic were in ‘ripping the p*sh’ mode. Headered absolutely everything away and even threw in a few stepovers for fun.
Charlie Mulgrew 9 – Sensational. Who would’ve thought from August to December that Mulgrew would become a big player for Celtic? His fine showing on the left of midfield on the 2nd of January showed the Celtic fans that we might just have a player here, since being moved into center half he’s been nothing short of excellent and yesterday he was the best player on the park. Reports that Jelavic is now sitting on Mulgrew’s fireplace are as of yet unconfirmed.
Emilio Izaguire 8 – This lad just never stops running, We’ve had left backs who can cross, left backs who can run, left backs with tricks and flicks, but this one’s got it all! Never ever wastes a pass and provided the excellent assist for Hooper’s second goal. Izaguire is by far the best player in Scotland at the moment and if he isn’t rewarded with the treble and the player of the year trophy then it’ll be for non-footballing reasons.
Scott Brown 7 – The Captain played a captain’s role as he drove his side to victory. Brown loves a fiesty game and wound up Rangers straight away as he was savagely hacked down by Bartley, despite giving away a few inches height-wise but Brown nailed home his mental superiority over the on-loan Arsenal youngster. Nearly added another goal just after the break but all in all a very polished display from the captain who maintained his superiority over all things Rangers, including Diouf.
Joe Ledley 8 – Another fine display from the Welsh midfielder as he quickly becomes a fans favourite at Celtic Park. Ledley does the dirty work in midfield, all the tracking, tackling, ball winning and ball keeping. Ledley is slowly but surely getting himself into the box more and more often and if we’re being picky, look at the break down the right in the 93d minute, Ledley’s onto a tap-in if the ball fell to him. Deserves a mention for his twitter comments also as he once again shows he knows whats hit him now that he’s a Celtic player.
Beram Kayal 7 – Solid display from our best midfielder. Loves to get stuck in against Rangers and didn’t disappoint once again. Was unlucky with a swerving shot he just didn’t quite catch right but broke up many Rangers attacks and his partnership in the middle with Ledley is getting stronger and stronger, was added to the list of Celtic players who hate Diouf so all in all a very content display. Lets hope he was took off to prevent serious injury!
Kris Commons 8 – Our wing wizard added another goal to his Celtic tally and is quickly becoming a key player in his new team, loves to run with the ball but is also very hard working off the ball. Links up with Izaguire superbly and adds another dimension to an already dynamic Celtic team. Top performance from a top player, Aiden who?!
Georgios Samaras 8 – The big lanky lazy bassa does the trick once again against the currants! Passed the ball beautifully well and supplied the defence splitting pass for Izaguire to cross for Hooper’s second goal. Displayed an immense array of tricks towards the end of the game and that spin and nut-meg beating 2 Rangers players at the end was nothing short of get-it-right-effin-up-yees proportions.
Gary Hooper 9 – Two excellent goals, his first goal was world class by the way, if that was Rooney, they’d be speaking about it forever, Hooper’s first touch is excellent, he’s strong, he has a change of pace and something he’s added into his game in recent weeks is his willingness to try and beat an opponent not by tricks and flicks, just sheer taking the ball past them. The ground he made up to get his second goal was nothing short of superb and it must be said this bhoy is now our cult hero. Extra praise for grabbing the ball bhoy whilst celebrating his first goal. If ever there was a more appropriate example of someone being ‘Celtic Class’ its our bhoy Hooper.
Man Of The Match? Toss up between Hooper and Mulgrew but Chico takes it. God bless Mulgrew
All about opinions…
7 for Brown and Kayal…?? whit’s wrang wi’ 8 ??
9 for Hooper…?? whit’s wrang wi’ 10…??
agree with your comments about Mulgrew….
There once was an ugly duckling….
Kayal was onto an 8 if he didn’t have to come off! Brown i thought was a celebration away from an 8. Hooper was another goal or nutmeg on Davie Weir away from a 10!
in all honesty i’ve seen Celtic player better this season
I agree with him. The first 20 mins were hurl ball then we scored. I also thought Commons was particularly poor. We did dominated and all three goals, especially, the first two deserve to be shown in glorious technicolour again and again. Yous Yube covers that. No need for a DVD.
Davie Dodds was an ugly duckling.
Too many MOTM to choose from !
Great team selection, strong bench, and a lot more knocking on the door.
Happy days :o)
I must take umbridge with one of your points. We have never had a left back who could run, could cross or had tricks and flicks until July this year.
Camara could run, McKinley could Cross, and Braffheid had the tricks and flicks š
Even a good doctor couldn’t get a decent left back from those three.
A good day out and three points! What more can we ask for? Same again at Motherwell please. š
8 or 9 goals?
Nice article, well written and I hope the lads at Celtic Park read it because they are a credit to the club and deserve praise. We are very fortunate to have a spirit around the magical old ground again and the fans are ‘simply the best’ of any, anywhere in the world!Lenny, the team and club management are wise, shrewd and have that needed tunnel vision for the future. Any criticism of this club is without foundation and no matter what happens from now on we must all stand together. Things are lookin good Bhoys and ghirls
Couldn’t see a weak link in the fence to tell the truth – except for maybe FF – but a Celtic goalkeeper needs only to do what he did and that was stop those one or two shots a game. Can’t believe Charlie Mulgrew WHAT A PLAYER. I was the former head of the GET MULGREW TAE F#&K OUT OF GLASGOW club but now my kids are getting his name on the back of their jerseys. NOT A FOOT WRONG and it’s not a fluke he’s a good centre half with control and poise and strength.
Lennon has a team that plays for each other and plays for the fans. What a great time to have a shamrock in your cap.
sincerely
Rabam
Forster should be more commanding but I think he’s scared of Majstorovic, shades of when Mark Brown used to deputise for Boruc, Boruc would be seen fighting with his defence to get his point across where as Brown seemed timid to take on McManus or Caldwell.
If im being honest, and i touched upon it up there, Celtic were, in my opinion, a good 25% better 2 weeks ago than we were on Sunday, We played better with 10 men than we did with 11! that should be the nail’s beginning to be hammered into the Rangers’ Coffin, and it should be Lenny, Johan and Thommo with the nails and hammers!
I think people are hunting for faults and Double F is ripe for a picking. I still think he is mute.