WOW!..talk about a Star-A Star-A night!<\/p>\n
Im not gonna linger on the event itself as I am hoping to write up a piece later so lets just say WOW! again and get straight into the Ratings<\/p>\n
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Gordon – 8<\/strong><\/p>\n Some folk ( ahem! – Ed) had been critical of Craig Gordon lately, especially in European games but last night all doubters had to say “Fairs fair”. The distribution may never be the necessary standard either in speed or accuracy but when your keeper can dive low and save a free kick destined for bottom corner or face\\shoulder a diverted shot over the bar in the dying minutes then who cares about a punt to the sidelines now and again. Confidence will be boosted after playing in “The loudest game ever” according to the keeper.<\/p>\n Lustig – 7<\/strong><\/p>\n Solid as they come and any doubts about his legs were calmed with excellent placement and speed of mind. Had a great partnership with Forrest and both never stopped all night. Deserves a rest for the Dundee game to recharge for Gladbach and beyond.<\/p>\n Toure – 8<\/strong><\/p>\n Excellent game after a scary opening\u00a0 minute when this watcher though Man City were just gonna run away from him. The wise old Toure duly adjusted his positioning accordingly and was soon running the game from the back and even stepped up into midfield when needed. Great clearance near end and even nearly scored when getting stuck in after a goalmouth stramash. Great Twitter gag had him removing his keys, phone and Aguero from his pockets when he got home after the game which summed it up. That’s Aguero remember folks!<\/p>\n Erik -7<\/strong><\/p>\n Seemed to be a little slow at times but given the speed the ball was moving that was understandable. Helped lessen speed of Gundogans shot on goal at the end with a sliding tackle which was then saved by Gordon and also helped make the first goal by heading ball towards Dembele at the clever free kick so kudos for that effort and nevr hid. Just needs to learn to kick the ball out the park now and again as inward clearance led to their 3rd goal but no one can complain at the overall effort given except Scott Brown who suffered at one instance when Erik came barging through him to ensure a Celt won a high ball in middle of the pitch.<\/p>\n Tierney\u00a0 – 9<\/strong><\/p>\n Its getting frighteningly ridiculous now isn’t it?<\/p>\n What a showing from the young superstar. Went at\u00a0it hammer and tongs all night. Only blimp was it was Tierney playing Fernandhino onside after he failed to come out his box quickly enough. How would\u00a0our young\u00a0left back\u00a0answer that disappointment…only by “scoring” one and then making another! – that’s how!. The shot\u00a0 which diverted off Sterling into the net was a truly joyous occasion when it hit the back of the net. Theres something truly special\u00a0 when we see a celebratory\u00a0Tierney runs to the Green Brigade and then his song rings out.\u00a0As if that wasn’t enough, he then\u00a0sent in\u00a0the cross to Dembele for the 3rd which\u00a0had everyone screaming in salute. What a night\u00a0for our bhoy wonder!<\/p>\n Sinclair – 7<\/strong><\/p>\n Some folk on Twitter were going crazy for Sinclairs performance but I didnt really see it as anything truly exceptional. Covered lots of ground and supplied the perfect ball at the free kick for Forrest to send across goal but on a few breaks towards goal he tried to beat one player too many. Seemed to me to be trying a little too hard in first half and looked a little more relaxed in the second and playing more his own game and continues to improve his relationship with Dembele game after game.<\/p>\n Broony – 9<\/strong><\/p>\n Cometh the hour, cometh the Captain. I was actually worried that this game could pass Broony by after a few recent games had saw him dummied in the middle of the park by players from lower SPFL clubs and this time he would be facing International superstars\u00a0David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan. Silly me. Broony had obviously just being saving himself for this one as he totally ran the show last night. A powerful run in the 2nd minute won us the free kick that led to the goal and from that point the Captain was everywhere and never let up. You can picture that ice bath melting as soon as he entered it after the game. Broony ensured every tackle was forceful but placed perfectly and motivated and mentored his colleagues perfectly. Broony is now\u00a0The Scotsman with the most Champions League performances…Bravo sir!<\/p>\n \u00a0Biton – 8<\/strong><\/p>\n Remember the Madona Video for “Ray of light” when the old vixen is standing still while the world flies by all round her. That’s how a game with Nir Bitton can seem at times. He often seems slow and pondering but after last night I’m starting to think he just sees the game that\u00a0extra micro second sooner that the rest of us. It wasn’t a perfect game by any means but\u00a0that calm skill earned us 2 goals last night. The\u00a02nd goal started with a sublime Bitton\u00a0turn in the middle of the park\u00a0and then perfect pass to then release\u00a0Rogic.\u00a0\u00a0Bitton then did a brilliant feint and dribble on the by line to release Tierney for the cross into Dembele for the 3rd. Sometimes its all about the skill rather than the blood and snotters.<\/p>\n Forrest – 8.5<\/strong><\/p>\n I could talk about Forrest brilliant\u00a0running all night. I could talk about his persistent tackling ( yes tackling). I could mention\u00a0his pressing and his excellent coverage of\u00a0large areas of the park. I could talk about his brilliantly timed run and cross\u00a0 for the opener. I could talk about his well earned\u00a0standing ovation when he was subbed for Roberts. But I wont.<\/p>\n Instead I offer this simple story to highlight how wonderful James Forrest is currently playing and how important he is to this Celtic side under Brendan Rodgers:<\/p>\n Theres a guy called John sits behind me. At every annoying game last season, he would rant \u00a0“Forrest\u00a0 shite this!”…”Forrest shite that”. Game after game he would have a go at our James.\u00a0 Well last night,\u00a0see\u00a0when the sub \u00a0board went up, John got vocal again. This time he cried out “FOR FUCK SAKE BRENDAN, DONT TAKE FORREST OFF!”.<\/p>\n James Forrest, beloved Celtic stalwart..well done son!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rogic – 7<\/strong><\/p>\n A great first half for Rogic topped off when Rogic\u00a0picked up Bittons pass and surged forward, took his time and then \u00a0played a truly sublime pass for Tierney to smash towards goal for the 2nd. At one point I was thinking “Theres Silva, Aguero, Sterling\u00a0 out there and the most skilful player on show is\u00a0Tom Rogic!”. The Aussie was dancing round the City players\u00a0and one piece of ball retention saw him hounded for the ball but Rogic suddenly swivelled, actually hit the deck and yet still somehow came away with the ball and left Man City midfielder bemused. Subbed for Armstrong 10 minutes into the second half and will be looking for a goal or two up at Dens me thinks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dembele – 9<\/strong><\/p>\n We have a superstar left back who is a child (19)and we have a superstar striker who is at most a young man(20).<\/p>\n Dembele just continues to astound. Folk questioned could a boy from Fulham make the grade at Celtic\u00a0and he listened, smiled and answered in not only goals, but playing the role of the perfect forward. This isn’t just a guy who can\u00a0be in the right place at the right time like he was for the first goal. This is skill, an overhead kick for the 3rd goal, winning headers after headers, all over the park, even in defence at set pieces for City. This is holding up the ball. This is having the skills to dribble and beat a man anywhere in the pitch, facing away or towards the goal. This is unselfishly dragging defenders all over the place creating space for runners like Sinclair and Rogic which was essential to set up the 2nd goal.\u00a0Dembele truly\u00a0is the whole package!<\/p>\n A few weeks ago I suggested he would be worth around \u00a320 million at the rate of improvement. That was after the Rangers game in the league. Last night was Man City,\u00a0 a team of all high class midfielders and defenders in a team organised by Pep Guarliola no less. What\u00a0happened?..Dembele ran amock with no regard for transfer fee or reputation. Brendan Rodgers once\u00a0helped make Raheem Sterling worth a fee of \u00a349m. At\u00a0this rate Dembele wont be far off.<\/p>\n Loses 1 mark for that errant pass to Broony that led to their 2nd goal..hey welcome to Tough Love CSC<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Subs<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Armstrong – 6<\/strong><\/p>\n Came on for Rogic and got stuck in when extra legs were needed to combat the skill, stamina and use of space by City. Continues to improve under Brendan and might get a start at Dundee at the weekend with others rested.<\/p>\n Roberts – 5<\/strong><\/p>\n Came on for Forrest and had a few runs but didn’t have much chance to really get into his own game with Celtic moving onto the back foot as game neared closure. Another who will probably start at Dundee and will have gained some more confidence as some decent dribbles against City.<\/p>\n Griffiths – 6<\/strong><\/p>\n Only came on for last 10 minutes but gets a slightly higher mark for annoying the City keeper with a tug at his sleeve and also picking up the ball and removing the chance of City breaking quick after a foul. The ref warned SuperLeigh about his antics but those earned his team a few seconds of a breather which was perfect within the last 10. His introduction also gave the corwd another boost which in turned helped roar the side onto a memorable result.<\/p>\n Manager<\/p>\n
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