Talk about a game of 2 halves…Holy Moses( is that allowed ? – Ed) .<\/p>\n
This was truly one of those “Were you there?” Euro nights at Celtic Park..drama, goals galore and a few “What the f*ckity f *ck” moments!<\/p>\n
So how did the Ratings pan out…lets see below…<\/p>\n
PLAYER RATINGS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Craig Gordon – 7<\/strong><\/p>\n Not a lot to do bar pick the ball out the net twice and make a cracking save to stop the rot in the 2nd half. Some may cite that both goals were at his near post and he could have did better for at least the first reply but realistically the fault wasnt at the keepers door. Composed in possession and always looking to make the right distribution decision. Could \u00a0genuine competition be just what our current No 1 needs,so far at least it isnt doing Craigy any harm<\/p>\n Kieran Tierney – 7<\/strong><\/p>\n It might be seem harsh but again there were a few early question marks for our young superstar defender but once he found his feet he was back up and down the line like the trouper that he is. One excellent shot in the second half had the crowd applauding along with his manager. Still looking to build \u00a0relationship with Scott Sinclair so theres more room for improvement down the left hand side to come.<\/p>\n Kolo Toure – 7<\/strong><\/p>\n A rock of calm in a maelstrom of manic at times. Try saying that with a few sambucas!. Kolo was the epitome of calm and then started surges up the park when someone ( bar Broony) was needing to take the challenge forward, One such charge eventually led to the 2nd goal. Needs to ensure such charges arent a gamble though as did find himself out of position a few times in 2nd half and even got the classic “idiotic” Andy Walker yellow card for kicking the ball away. A great addition but with returning defenders it will be good to see his quality and enthusiasm targeted exactly where needed over the whole season.<\/p>\n Eoghan O’Connell – 7<\/strong><\/p>\n Another night of vital Euro experience for another young Celt. Made 2 crazy passes in the first half that had fans gasping in fear but he got away with them on this occasion\u00a0but was calm and aggressive when needed at other times.Less we forget the pressure and expectation we are all placing on such young shoulders.<\/p>\n Mikel Lustig – 6<\/strong><\/p>\n The out ball in the first half every time the ball was towards our backline. Had a good first half and got up and down the park well enough but took a knock before half time and made way for Janko in the second half once the comeback attempt was ramping up. Another important player to be used exactly where and when needed this whole season.<\/p>\n Calum McGregor – 6<\/strong><\/p>\n Rather unfortunate to get taken off for Biton but ultimately that decision was proven correct. Had an industrious first half without exactly shining but kept it clean and tidy and rotated the ball well when in possession. No flash but plenty of effort which is needed in a side of Oor Blessed Brendans.<\/p>\n Scott Broon – 9<\/strong><\/p>\n Simply outstanding, Talk about rising to a challenge, Broony was a whirling dervish in the 1st half and Hapoel must have been asking for a drugs test given the effort the Captain had put in during that first 45. Dipped in the 2nd half and without that drive, the team dropped to Hapoels level and allowed them back in with 2 goals. Sure enough, up stepped the Captain once more to drag them over the line with a great goal the cherry on top of a wonderful performance. Beware Joey, Beware!<\/p>\n James Forrest – 7<\/strong><\/p>\n Great shift once again from the wee man and a sublime cross to the shout from Griffiths for the second goal. Kept going at them for the whole game and always taking instruction from his manager so clearly in tune with the demands of his attack and defence duties.Dare I say it, even the crowd were forgiving whenever an attack attempt failed…is wee Jamesie’s days as Scapegoat over?<\/p>\n Tom Rogic -6<\/strong><\/p>\n Scored a goal after a classic reverse Harald Schumacher from Scott Sinclair and to be honest, that was about it. Some nice footwork now and again but still more style over substance for this critic. “He’s not a 90 minute player is he?” sighed my daughter while watching him depart.\u00a0I was surprised he lasted so long in all honesty. Hopefully this is Rogic finding his feet rather than on full steam or the question shall remain :\u00a0Can a team of Brendans afford such a luxury?<\/p>\n Scott Sinclair – 6<\/strong><\/p>\n Helped make the 1st goal with his \u00a0“robust enthusiasm” and made the 2nd goal with a lovely lay off for Forrest to make the cross to Griffiths. Other than that he seemed to get a little frustrated with himself in the first half and was trying too hard with high long range shots etc. Still he kept going and after taking some instruction from his manager had a great chance to score the 6th but the keeper blocked his effort which was unlucky given the impressive drive and determination shown by Sinclair so late in a draining game,<\/p>\n Leigh Griffith – 8<\/strong><\/p>\n Another night of\u00a0Cometh the question, cometh the answer from our star striker. Was as \u00a0quiet as a mouse during first half when forced to play with his back to goal but then one shout at the back post and bang, a perfect downward header and a goal. Cue a lovely run and leap into the managers arms..and a wee kiss perhaps?. Then a peach of a free kick for his second just before the half time whistle and a great salute to his beloved and loving Green Brigade fans. Quieter 2nd half but then sent in the perfect cross for Dembele to get the Hoops back on track. Truly Leighding the way in style these days.<\/p>\n SUBS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Dembele – 6<\/strong><\/p>\n Our Young Emile Heskey came on and immediately started making his physical presence felt and soon enough rose high and banged in a great corner for our 4th ( well he or Biton scored..check out the video below). Easy to forget he is just a boy, as it is for a few in this Celtic side..if we can all have patience, this really could be one long happy adventure.<\/p>\n Biton – 5<\/strong><\/p>\n Was asked to steady the ship and did it very well. Will probably start next week in Israel on this showing as ensured Hapoel didnt get the ball back as easily as they had found it in the early stages of the 2nd half.<\/p>\n Janko – 5<\/strong><\/p>\n Another good performance from the right back. Got up the park when needed and got himself involved in the game which was very fraught at the time of his entry. Made a great tackle towards the end to help ease the fans fears. Has another chance to impress, at least domestically with Lustig probably rested for this weekends game.<\/p>\n MANAGER<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n (11\/10 for the first half and 3\/10 for the first half of the second half and 8\/10 for the second half of the second half. I make that an average of over 7.3\/10 so lets round up to 7.5<\/em>.)<\/p>\n Rodgers – 7.5<\/strong><\/p>\n A perfect first half saw his side blow Hapoel off the park and the Manager must have been sighing to hear the half time whistle. As feared, his team lost their high level of energy and allowed Hapoel back into the game with 2 goals. Brendan could have looked to make some subs at Half time if he had any wishes to ensure a clean sheet at 3-0 as he would have known Hapoel would increase their attacks in the second 45.<\/p>\n However, the damage was done and rather than shrug, Rodgers picked his subs and once again, the cap needs doffed as a Rodgers sub came on and scored to save the game at a critical stage in the proceedings while\u00a0his other 2 subs steadied the ship. 5 goals is always impressive but from a mangement and team perspective, a\u00a0few lessons will have been learnt here by our leader. and as long as we can play the next 90 mins out without a 3-0 deficit then no-one will complain about that mental start to the second half tonight.<\/p>\n