Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Ice Station Zebra

DUNCAN IDAHO – 7/10 – Now we have something. Was it the addition of a strike partner, so to speak? The knowledge that there was both someone running off him and someone to share the responsibility had the quiet big bruiser playing like a proper centre forward. Flicks (#2), knockdowns, awareness, mobility – what we’ve been waiting for. Still needs a goal; unfortunate today to come up against a keeper in top form.

KILLER MUSHROOM -9/10 MOTM – Movement so good it fooled some American chumps into thinking they’d signed him. But there still exists some cryptic Japanese script out in the metaverse suggesting the wee ghuy is bound for a sordid casino gangster rathole and a payday in Majorette League Soccerball. Should we let him depart? After such a showcase display? Sensational Kyogo style won the game, deadly finishing topping off a 90 minutes of appearing in nearly every position on the park, and probably putting on Keeper’s gloves at their corners. May have notched four but for splendid goalkeeping rebuking his potency. Let’s hope today wasn’t part of a short farewell tour. I still want him headlining the spring Treble Festival with a send-off fit for an Eastern King, if so be it.

YING – 6.5/10 – Alright, not too shabby – major questions have been mooted about his Celtic worth but today he was due much praise for endeavour in conditions not amenable to his style or stature. Had a moment of glory pinched off his toe late on by a terrific tackle which might have been a deserved highlight of his tenure to date. But it was replicated minutes later and on that occasion illegally for our penalty. Note that he got himself in great positions twice at tempestuous moments of the contest when it was stand-up-and-be-counted time. So, all-round, he played a good part in the win with unrelenting tricky footwork and tireless movement in the final third that wore their resistance down.

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