SANDMAN’S DEFINITIVE RATINGS: CELTIC v GEORGEORWELL…
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan
THE FRIENDLY GHOST – 7/10 – The goalie who shouldn’t be there – well, he is a ghost – makes a classic Schmeichel flailing-arm stop to keep us square and shut up the doubters, this one included. Takes a big character to reset the ‘keeping heid and go again after a bad one like Thursday but he’s got that in abundance right through the genes and we saw it today as he voiced his encouragement to drive a struggling team back into the game and on to a great win.
TONY THE TIGER – 6/10 – There’s a bit of a rumble in the jungle, so throw in The Brickie. What you’ll get is 100% and more if he can find it. What you won’t get is consistent finesse, as clear when a heavy touch compounded our slackness and led to their equaliser. But when the chips were crashing to the table and the clock was bleeding fast, you get incessant Ralston on the wing looking for killer balls/supporting. You won’t lose a game for want of Tony’s input.
SCRATCHY – 6/10 – He’s a bit mad mental – the mad was some fine attacking contributions, the mental defensive errors out of the blue, saved by Kasper once, but no stopping the penalty Scratchy conceded with a clumsy stamp. He’s more positive than negative at this stage; need to maintain that ratio lest we see yet another erratic full-back sell the jerseys too many times.
OF JUSTICE – 7.5/10 MOTM – This is how it’s done, by the way, Playstation FIFA virgins: let’s explain in the Americanised lingo you crazy kids are so fond of – Play Of The Day goes to the Celtic’s Defensive Endbacker Liam, ‘The Ginger Baresi’ Scales. Shout it through a mic with echo if it makes you feel a bit more WWF…You won’t see a better-timed goal-saving sliding tackle this season or any other, probably; Exemplary defending, the physical prowess and the mental sharpness to get there and cover. Maintained his command for the remainder of the game, frequently supporting attack with sensible layoffs, and positioning to contain their troublesome athleticism on the counter. Haters, sit this one out.
GET CARTER – 7/10 – Good to see him get his hands full of rangy big opponents and come out scrapping and winning. A lot of physical battles keeps him tuned, I reckon, making for a solid display and a learning experience; occupied for the full match, put in a good one.
Brendan’s big flaw this season to date is keeping faith with Calmac.
You believe he needs a minder to flourish.
He didn’t need a minder in previous seasons.
Unfortunately Calmac is in decline and shouldn’t be an automatic pick..
His problem is physical not mental.
The break should see a reset.
Treble on.
Hail Hail.
I do believe he needs a ‘minder’ Jhn, precisely for the reason you stipulate – physical workload.
He’s lost a yard of pace BUT not the cognitive genius of a natural born footballer.
So what I’m saying is get someone in there closer to him than ever before to give him the time he can’t buy himself. He’ll still pull the strings and play the pases as well as ever if we facillitate that.
When does BR decide that Calmac cannot perform for 90 mins?
A great player in decline different from Daizen having a loss of form.
He knew when he retired fom Scotland duties that the legs weren’t there.
I hope I’m wrong.
Keep scribbling.👏👏👏
Hail Hail.
Bit generous to the MIB. i’d give him for adding the
correct stoppage time
39
27 28 27 27
28 32 28
28 29 23
“You’re only 29
Got a lot to learn
But when your business dies
You will not return”
What Celtic needs is youthful spunk and risk-takers playing for their future not the final salary schemers and mortugees preferred by consecutive Celtic managers. Ben Summers(21) & Osmand(20) trained with 1st team on Friday but were not even on the bench of average age=25 years old. Starting eleven 29 years old average.
Jock Stein will be turning in his grave. O’Neill the last manager who reared several Celtic-class 1st team players through the ranks more than 20 years ago – i.e. Maloney, Marshall, Kennedy and McGeady.