Well there ye have it folks, Celtic finally win at Hampden and into the final of the Scottish Cup after a titanic battle over 120 minutes against Jackie McNamara’s plucky wee f**kers Dundee United. Heres the player Ratings!
Forster 6 – Not an awful lot he could have done for each of the three goals and did make one great instinctive stop in Extra time.
Lustig 6 – Another good steady game from someone who is fast becoming a reliable player in a Celtic backline, rattled the post with a header as he did his very best Ki impersonation. Must be fit for the final.
Wilson 7 – Oh what a player. We might have lost 3 goals but the player of the year elect gave another strong showing in the hoops. Completely lost Daly in extra time and the post came to the rescue and wasn’t the worst in the Celtic defence. Ended the game as captain.
Ambrose 6 – Shaky, Shaky and f**king shaky. A terrific burst out of defence to help create the 3rd goal but Ambrose has lost that vital part of defending, the ability to defend, wasn’t close enough to Gould for the first goal and constantly drifting out of position and giving the ball away. Needs a rest. A long one.
Izaguirre 7 – Before ye start, I like Izaguirre. Everytime he got the ball in a crossing position I was certain we were gonnae score. Set up the 3rd and also played a magnificent ball in for Lustig. Gets isolated at the back post far too easy though and must communicate better with Wilson but all in all he had a good game.
Wanyama 6 – Booked and out of the final and didn’t do much in the game, nearly gave away a penalty before bulleting home a header to make it 2-2. Not the usual Wanyama we saw terrorising Xavi and co.
Ledley 7 – Much more like it from Ledley. Always there to battle back for the ball and when he gets it he rarely wastes it. Look frustrated at times when in lack of support but he has started to show the old form again.
Mulgrew 4 – Get Rid
Commons 8 – Our best player on the day with 2 goals, the first an absolute peach and the second well, right place right time. Still a bit too greedy and slow to play the right pass but I’ve been reluctant to see it since Christmas but Commons is a necessity in this Celtic team.
Forrest 6 – Great cross for the winner in Extra time but not enough from the wee man again. Looks to have been caught in that pacey winger trap when he doesn’t know when to hit the byline or come inside and test the full back. Still looks half a yard off full pace/fitness
Hooper 6 – Felt sorry for Hooper today. The only way we see the best of Hooper is if players get close to him. With Ledley covering for the woeful Mulgrew (Who shouldn’t even be near the midfield) it meant there was no one but Commons getting up to support Hooper. Did a lot of good work going back and winning the ball. Didn’t deserve half the flak he copped on Twitter.
SUBS
Kayal 5 – Out the final for the rash challenge on Willo Flood but showed great restrained not to retaliate when Flood sunk the boot in him. Did add a wee bit of calmness into the midfield
Stokes 6 – Scored a beautiful winner with a thundering header but drew my frustrations when in Injury time instead of floating the ball into a crowded box he tried the glory hunting spectacular winner.
Samaras 5 – added a wee spark, however did look knackered about 5 minutes after he came on
Lennon 6 – Waited far too long to make any subs and looked like he was settling for Extra Time before unleashing Samaras. His love affair with Charlie Mulgrew must end. Once that does and Mulgrew is at Bury or Stevenage where he rightly belongs, we can progress forward.
CELTIC WON AT HAMPDEN! HOOOOOORRRAAAAYYYY!!!!!
Far too critical of Charlie Mulgrew. personally i’d have him at centre back instead of Ambrose. Well done bhoys.
Agreed John,
I feel much more secure with CM at centre back.
Apart from that Brucehillbhoy your scoring was just about right.
HH
Thought when Mulgrew went to centre half we looked much more solid…and say what you want, he’s a shoe-in to play CM in the final with Kayal and Wanyama suspended.
Or, going by your logic, you could put Ambrose at CM?
Thought Hooper was woeful today, and Wilson was bullied by Daly most of the afternoon (see 1st goal especially)
Agree with you on Forrest, Samaras, Commons – but big FF seems to be glued to his line these days…
Lennon must get Mulgrew out of midfield. Far too slow in the midfield and too slow to move the ball.
Like big Lustig loads but this guy is not fit just now. Cant last 90 mins and we are using a sub every game.
As for Hooper, said this loads recently, but get him dropped Lenny. Lazy, slow and offers nothing up front. Give Watt a run now.
Lennon must have heard the boos today when he left Hooper on and took Commons off.
Enough of my moans just really glad we got through even though the performance wasnt great.
MON for me today was Izzy. Ran up the line all day and his crossing has been much improved recently.
Hail Hail.
For me Hooper doesn’t look interested but then if Lennon drops him it could lower his transfer fee, which isn’t going to be a right lot due to the length of contract left.
Watching Samaras walking about when he was the fresh pair of legs drove me mental. He’s either got a twin or he gets bodysnatched now and then, I just hope we’ve got the good one!!
I too think you’re being too harsh on Mulgrew and pound for pound he’s a better player than Ambrose and Wilson. The latter may be good but still makes far too many costly mistakes for my liking and tends to fall over when he’s beaten. Granted Mulgrew shouldn’t be in midfield but getting rid? In addition 8 goals and 6 assists from a defender is a good return.
Hopefully Scott Brown might be back from injury, touch and go there but failing that I can see Rogic getting the nod. I daresay Lenny will be blooding a midfielder or two from the youth side to see if any are ready.
Jackie Mac is a credit to himself and there are some young players on his team that may just give us a run for our money next season.
I must have watching a different game. Wilson was totally dominated by Daly the whole game. He left izzy to deal with him at the headed goal 5′ 10″ against 6′ 2″ . I admit Wilson’a performances have improved but from the starting point of diabolical that would’nt be hard.
“Mulgrew get rid” your having a giraffe. I am getting sick of the critique of certain players who have the odd off day but the silence towards players like Hooper who haven’t contributed for months, is deafening. We had to work extremely hard for our victory yesterday so congrats to the team and lets now lift the cup.
Hail hail
Mulgrew should be either at centre half or not in the team. He’s Pish at left back and even worse in centre mid.
Get Ambrose to fuck as well. He’s a fud, an accident waiting to happen and lackadaisical in his all round approach.
We need 11 players on the park all square pegs in square holes and not trying to shoe-horn the teachers pet into the team to the detriment of the other 10 guys