Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Lokomotiv Leith

CALMAC – 6.5/10 – Baffling replacement of the skip on 75 minutes had me worried – injured? He’d just put together a delightful interaction around their box with Reo to set up Big Jeff for a close call. Suddenly the metronome ticked off and we looked a bit rudderless. Previous to that it was all going as per usual; nearly added to his goal tally early on with another blinder from out the box, well saved. And when there’s a hint
of the unpredictable brewing – as with many cup-ties when the opposition’s got nothing to lose – his calm controlling influence is required to see you through. Let’s hope nothing serious is up.

THE TERMINATOR – 6.5/10 – Kind of waiting for Arne to fire up all game; looking for the special moments of influence. But he was more competent than cavalier, pinged a few sweet balls but played the percentages more often; especially when he dropped deep to fill the Calmac role and see the game out. That’s professionalism, doubters.

HAKUNA HATATE – 8/10 MOTM – Yeah, a couple of loose passes first-half and the whingers got another reason than the bright sunshine to screw up their faces. But if you know Reo, that’s just him finding his touch and range… Consistently involved in practically everything, kept the tempo flowing, looked dangerous every time he drifted into view, got that half-turn on receipt of the ball and turned momentum into menace; Scorched a cracking school playground ‘swerver’ on half time that their keeper made a blinding save to keep out; put Kuhn in with a sumptuous ball only to be foiled by a last-ditch tackle…He was the torment to their disciplined lines that they finally could not contain; had them ragged, frantic and defensive-minded last ten. Which was a big factor in preventing any sort of unwanted pressure and equaliser.

Sandman’s Definitive Ratings continue on the next page…