No harsh words this evening, no negative commentary. Tonight was a decent evening with a good performance and a good result. It was also an emotional send-off to one of the best captains Celtic has ever had.
Everyone will remember this as Brown’s last game at Celtic Park, but we had a lot of other cameos and farewells too.
Ajer scored what’s probably his last goal at the ground
Edouard scored what is definitely his last.
Karamoko Dembele scored what we all hope will be his first.
And Barkas made a save.
When, in the future, people ask where you were when it happened you will not forget.
Overall it was a decent way to say a home game farewell to this wretched campaign, summed up by our magnificent captain having to depar to an empty stadium. That isn’t right, and he will certainly return to face a full house, which will give him the thank you and the respect that his years of outstanding service to Celtic deserves.
What a leader, what a captain, what a great Celt he was.
Without further ado then, let’s get down to the ratings …
Barkas
Did Sky News really interrupt coverage of the story of the hour to break in with the news that Barkas had actually come out and challenged successfully for the ball? If it ain’t true it ought to be. I was pleased that he got through that one without a hitch. I hope he starts at the weekend, because he’s one of the guys we’ll be relying on next season.
6/10. Didn’t have much to do but – hurrah! – caught the ball without incident!
Kenney
He was back to being solid and unspectacular tonight. Gets up the pitch well, but tends to make a lot of daft mistakes. He also gets caught on the break, often. That could be a consequence of how we play and not so much the player. But not a great half season, although I do feel a residual sympathy for this guy, an honest pro who doesn’t try to hide.
6/10. Not a disastrous signing, but one we’ll not renew I don’t think.
Montgomery
Haven’t got a picture of the kid but that will change. He looks a decent prospect although you can’t tell much in a single game and especially when he’s not in his natural position. I’ll be writing a little more on that subject tomorrow. But it’s always good to see a kid get his debut; it’s a shame that he, like Welsh, has made him in front of no fans. Next season we’ll see.
6/10. Solid and steady, but it will be good to see him when he’s bedded in.
Welsh
Excellent again tonight and coped well with the physical game that was expected of him. Grows in confidence and stature with every game he gets. As part of a really good settled Celtic side we’ll see what we get. But he is a proper defender and that shows.
7/10. Next season is huge for him and I think he’ll carry it.
Ajer
If this is his last game at Celtic Park he left us with a lot of thoughts of what might have been had we wised up and played him in midfield because when he has the ball at his feet and is moving with it he is a different footballer from the hesitant player who makes so many mistakes at the back. I thought he was excellent tonight.
8/10. He scored and when he came forward with the ball he was easily the best man on the park.
Christie
If it’s his last game at Celtic Park, he at least went out putting in a good display. Ran around well, covered every blade of grass, looked hungry and committed for once. I have mixed feelings about his impending departure but if he doesn’t want to stay I don’t think we should move the earth to talk him out of it. Give Eddie Howe one go at it, and if Christie wants to go then Norwich or Burnley can have him.
6/10. Decent game and if he’s finished at Celtic Park then it’s a shame, but we’ll survive.
Brown
The leader. The captain. The warrior. The champion. I wish he’d ended his time at Celtic on a triumphant note, on a better note, on a winning note, with ten in a row as his legacy. Tonight was a really sad one for myself and all the other people who are priviliged to say he’s the best Celtic captain of our lifetimes, easily, utterly. A good solid game to bow out on.
7/10. Can’t quite give him the man of the match, but a good performance from the club leader.
Forrest
Flat tonight from Mr Forrest. Didn’t pull the strings as he usually does. I thought he was a little disappointing. But he’s not quite back to full fitness yet, but getting there. Big season ahead for him in the next campaign.
6/10. A little quiet this evening.
Turnbull
Excellent again and took his goal brilliantly and laid on one for Eddie as well. The fulcrum of the next title winning Celtic side. Eddie Howe has got one Hell of a good player on his hands.
7/10. Fine goal and a fine all round display. Very excited about this boy.
Elyounoussi
The kind of game he has too often for us to make his move permanent. Not dreadful, just not really in it. Next season is going to be a war and we can’t have passengers and sadly that’s what he might be. A fine footballer on his day … but too many of them are like tonight.
6/10. Just not in the game enough.
Edouard
Excellent goal, as a reminder to all of us what he can do. If he had applied himself to the task this season the whole thing might have had a happier end. Nevertheless, in spite of my frustration and even anger at that he deserves credit for the display.
7/10. A first rate goal from a first rate player … and we’ll get a first rate fee to prove it. Sad way for him to bow out with so many of us just wanting the money now, but I think history will judge French Eddie better than the current moment.
John Kennedy
Didn’t exactly keep his promise to shake things up, did he? Two enforced changes – Bain was injured and McGregor was banned – and one debut isn’t giving the fringe players a chance, is it, Mr Kennedy? A selfish team selection but actually a decent performance and the overall improvement in the fitness of the team showed yet again. He’s not done enough for me and should take his show on the road for the good of his own career and for the benefit of the club.
6/10. Not very imaginative from him at all, and he doesn’t get a five because we won comfortably.
Substitutes:
Soro
Does what he has to. No frills, no spills either. I like him a lot and can’t wait to see him in a better organised team.
Griffiths
Not on long enough to have a major impact and that will disappoint him and surely Steve Clarke as well.
Johnston
Got the potential to be a very, very important player for us. But he’s gonna need to be fully fit and he’s gonna need a new manager to help him realise his full potential.
Taylor
The player who made way for the kid Montgomery tonight, and came on in the second half to a solid enough game. Another footballer with a lot to prove to the new boss, but he’ll get his chance.
Dembele
Arguably the story of the evening, he came on for a cameo and scored a superb goal. There is going to be a lot of talk about this kid over the next week or so … and he has a big decision to make and so does Celtic. Tonight was the night he “arrived” at this club, coming on to score a cracking effort from a difficult angle. We know this kid can play … but does he have the mentality to stay here and fight for a place and be part of something special, or is he going to follow the likes of Feruz to England for the money instead? We’ll find out this summer, but it was good to see this kid finally getting some game time and a chance to shine, and he took it.