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Celtic vs Alloa – Player Ratings

Well it wasn’t the prettiest but thinking positively it was a  2-0 win, eventually, that also gave a few of the fringe players a chance to shine (hmmm – Ed) as well as help big Jozo get more game time to increase his match fitness for the busy period ahead.

Player ratings below..


 

Gordon – 5

Not a lot to do considering the opposition and whilst he held a few crosses and plucked a loose header out of the air, poor Craig wont be banging on Brendans door demanding a league or CL start on this performance. The keepers distribution was slow, one piece of goal mouth action saw him come out to claim(punch) a ball with more stops and starts than a Dembele penalty and that Schumacher style attack/tackle sadly summed up the current nerves of the under pressure Keeper.

Tierney – 7

Yet again, the youngster was the best, or at least 1 of the best Celtic players on the park. Up and down the pitch all night, from by-line to by-line and now even getting so bored with the rest of his team mates errors that he is shooting on sight where possible. One 30 yarder rattled the bar and before the seasons out, we could see a Goal of the Season contender from our young star.

Jozo – 6

In for Erik who was on the bench and kept it straightforward with a nice comfort on the ball. Passed well and he looks to be the player to go beside Toure for the immediate if not long term future and hopefully wont bugger off to Torino come the January sales. Subbed for Christie as Celtic pushed for the opener but will be happy with game time and this showing.

Toure – 6

Mr Calm returned, smoking the proverbial cigar and the Celtic defensive panic from Sunday was gone. Not a lot to do overall but it was a welcome return to our rock at the back. Hopefully Kolo can help Erik and Jozo find some defensive karma over the rest of the season.

Lustig – 6

Back at right back after his Centre back trip up in Inverness but did have a spell as part of a 3 as Celtic chased the game as the second half wore on. Not one of his most adventurous games and the match commentator mentioned he looks like he could appreciate a rest. Sadly that applies to quite a few of the side.

Roberts – 5

The post injury form struggle continues and Roberts is starting to show signs of mental fatigue as he continues to try too hard. Had a few nice touches but he has to try and relax and take the ball for a gallus walk more to regain that cheeky confidence and composure. It will come, but at the moment it currently looks like he is putting himself under heavy pressure. Rightly subbed for Sinclair at half time.

Broony – 6

So many roles last night: Centre mid, Centre half, chief Note-reader ( what does Brendan write on those things..”Remember and get milk”?). Busy shift  when our captain probably hoped for a lighter run out but finally got his team over the line. You can bet he wont be happy at the Alloa player leaving him looking silly with a cheeky turn in the middle of the park.

Armstrong – 5

First start since August and wont be getting another based on this performance. Kept himself busy enough but again looked like a player who felt the pressure to impress Rodgers and sadly lacked the composure in key areas when it mattered. Tried multiple times to curl the ball into the top corner but never came off.

Rogic – 5

After recent fine form, it looks like all the efforts and recent travel to play for Australia are finally taking their toll on our Tom. His decision making was all wrong and his shots were high wide and certainly not handsome. Booked after playing Dead Mans Fall when Jim Goodwin stepped on his boot whilst Rogic tried to dance through the 9 man Alloa wall.

Forrest – 7

The best Celtic forward on the park by quite a distance. Not a perfect performance by any means with a few stray passes and blind alley runs but Forrest never stopped all night and ultimately got his reward with a great run and shot into the opposite corner to finally allow Celts to breathe world-wide. A great goal and a great way to celebrate reaching the 200 game mark Jamesie Bhoy 🙂

Dembele – 6

As the game closed out,  this was going to be a “The boy looks like he needs a rest” and a rant about Brendan not having a 3rd striker option. How quickly things change. After a night of the ball being caught under his feet and our main forward going nowhere bar into a wall of Alloa players, Dembele  picked up the ball with his back to goal, did a sublime turn to lose 1 defender, advanced forward, beat another defender with a drop of the shoulder and then lashed the ball high into the corner of the net for a brilliant goal. Boom!  The boy is back!

 


Subs

Sinclair – 6

Came on for 2nd half and thankfully made a real impression. With such a busy run of games, no doubt the Boss and the Player were hoping for a rest but Sinclairs trickery, speed and intelligence were needed after the first half saw no returns. Super Scotty soon stretched the Alloa backline and eventually helped wear them down.

Christie – 6

Made a great contribution and brought added intelligence to the attack ideas against a stout Alloa side. Some lovely dribbling and great passing would have impressed everyone watching and the boy must be a contender for more game time soon.

Erik  – 4

Came on for Rogic to help close out the game after Celtic finally broke the resolve of Alloa.

 


 

Manager – 6

The Celtic Manager will be happy with the eventual win but will be shaking his head reading the stats:

Home Team :  Celtic

Away Team :  Alloa

Possession
Home : 71%
Away : 29%
Shots
Home : 34
Away : 3
Shots on Target
Home : 11
Away : 3
Corners
Home : 14
Away : 1
Fouls
Home : 9
Away : 7

Brendan wont be happy at that Number of attempts vs Shots on target (a poor 32% return) and also wont be comfortable at the current lack of form or signs of fatigue with certain players.

Went for an attacking formation against Alloa and in playing 2 wingers hoped to stretch the game but it never really happened in the first half bar a few chances and errant shots.

Rodgers then made the correct substitutions with Sinclair and Christie. The manager also changed formation ( Was that really Scott brown at Centre half – Ed?) to push on with the attacks and ultimately his side got their rewards and moved on to the semi finals.

Brendan has lots to think about though –

  • The Keeper position is still very much unclear
  • Dare he risk Jozo for every game from now on? Dare he not?
  • Who partners Broony in the middle of the park?
  • How soon can he bring Griffiths back into the side without risking longer term damage?

 

 

 

 

 

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Delbhoy
7 years ago

Playing forrest on the left was a delia esque mistake , if sinclair needs a rest i would play roberts or gms there

Morto
7 years ago
Reply to  Delbhoy

Actually, where is GMS? He’s really dropped off the radar lately.

Delbhoy
7 years ago

Had an op but i think nearing fitness

mike
7 years ago

The keeper conundrum sell two buy one.
GMS Cifti Armstrong, sell three buy one.
The back 3/4/5 ——sell Efe, Janko.
Midfield, ———–sell Biton,buy two.
Forwards, ———–see above.
Well done Jamsie Forrest,when all were clamouring for his head,he kept quiet and answered all his critics with his recent performances,so its twa fingers to yous.
btw if yoo are reading this,gies the name of your wigmaker.
Welcome back on Saturday to the Griffillo.

mike
7 years ago

Missed oot the disapearing man,Boyata—-sell.

Devoy45
7 years ago

Desi, good job on the ratings. Looks good to me.
I’d like to see a lot more of Christie. I think Ajer might be a good midfield holder. Brendan needs to give him some game time. Ajer’s height won’t hurt either especially on corners. Shouldn’t we be scoring corners when we get 10-15 per game?
OK, some of you have sold me on the MON 3-5-2.
Gordon
Toure/Simunovic/Sviatchenko
Lustig/Brown/Rogic/Ajer/Tierney
Dembele/Sinclair (Griffiths when fit)
This group could start on Saturday against Killie. We need a system where we can get the ball to Sinclair as often as possible. The lad can play and is the best natural talent we’ve had since Henrik. His style reminds me of Larsson’s. If he does nothing else, Sinclair, Toure and Dembele have been great buys by Brendan and show he has an eye for good players.

Rebus67
7 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,

Ok, except for Rogic. I do not think he is a deep lying player. His defensive capabilities are near zero, plus he gets caught with the ball. Also, he tends to run with the ball and is not a good passer. It is all about opinions, tho!

One big improvement from ladt year is thst we have options now and a manager who is prepared to make adjustments during a game.

I think there will be some short term pain, mainly in Europe, but we are on the correct track.

Rebus

iain in alberta
7 years ago

GMS played 55mins for the Development team earlier this week. Boyata also played – we lost 1-0. Ajer might still be a bit raw to throw in yet but who knows. Forrest is giving it all and what a pass from Christie! I think the missing link is who to play alongside Brown. Can Brown play on his own (DM) like Makele? Can Rogic drop back a little and help out defensively? He can certainly hold the ball and see a forward pass. Bertie Auld started out as a winger as did nobby Charlton. Also the goalie problem, I would rather a goalie who stops shots and can’t kick a ball than a goalie that can kick but has weak wrists! HH

Half_Fool
7 years ago

Spot on again Desi.

Far too many shots that were not more like hit and hopes.
We witnessed that far too often under Delia; it isn’t enough just to angle a pass towards the goal-mouth (talking to you Tom Rogic).
True shots are made, not hoped for.

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