SANDMAN’S DEFINITIVE RATINGS: CELTIC @ BASTIEN’S MUNCHIES…
“Most Gods throw dice, but Fate plays chess, and you don’t find out til too late that he’s been playing
with two queens all along.” – Terry Pratchett
THE FRIENDLY GHOST – 8.5/10 – Did absolutely everything he could to defy the odds. Haunted Bayern like his Da’ with one-on-one miracles, anticipation, and safer hands than Jesus as he guided his defence through the minefield. Even his last act was a great save, point-blank from a diving header that, for the split-second it stayed execution, had us thinking the hangman’s rope was a bungee. Really fancied Kasper on pens. But… Alas, the universe – she is a witch.
SCHLUPPTHE ‘RA – 8/10 – Suffered for an initial period as he got the Greggs treatment – singled out for isolation and rinsing. But he’s a unit with some pace, as we saw Saturday, and after half an hour he’d measured up to the nimble challenge presented to him wide; and smashed it around a bit. Terrific game after that, focussed and smart defending.
WAYNE GRETZKY – 9/10 MOTM – ‘The Moose Loose In Munchen.’ Will be the title of a conceptual arts theatre troop’s next performance, after the lasting memory of AJ rocking around the Allianz with a display of some of the finest timed tackles in a Celtic shirt since Cesar himself. Used every ounce of experience, instinct and ability – and his heehaws at one point – to excel in a superior defensive display that really announced his top-level capabilities. Was great last week, topped it tonight with his ‘career all-time MVP accomplishment’ as the Yanks would frame it. And I know he’s Canadian, but that’s close enough. And they own Canada anyway… Right?
CRUSTY THE CLOWN – 8/10 – Yes, he’s got the necessary physique to rough it at Champions League level. Yes, he’s got the height and athleticism to be our ball-winner. But he’s also got a refined defensive brain – most impressed with his awareness and positional sense; near-perfection, which complimented CCV’s covering.
