Celtic 0 vs Rangers 0 - April 23/2006

STROLL IN THE PARK

The sun was shining, the grass was green and the birds were all singing.....

....Happy Birthday to Her Majesty???

That was the highlight of the game for me, except a ten minute spell at the start of the second half, where we actually looked like a decent team.

Where was the urgency?, The must have three points? By the time the game had finished it looked like both parties were happy with a draw. You could understand that from the Celtic point of view but us?? 4 points difference from three games, we must now hope that Celtic have more of a desire against Hearts.

To the team:-

Mullet :- Good game from the much maligned keeper. Made some great saves and tackles to keep us in the game.
RMed Verdict :- 8

Hutton :- Nervous start, unsurprising after his last outing, but grew onto a game and played reasonably well. Needs to work on his crossing from an attacking point of view.
RMed Verdict :- 6

J Rod :- Took the first quater of the game to settle, misjudging a few headers, but after that was very solid and didnt give Hartson a sniff.
RMed Verdict :- 7

Soti :- Another mixed bag from the Greek. Too many mis-timed tackles in dangerous areas and with Maloney and Nakamura playing that wasn't the most sensible tactic.
RMed Verdict :- 6

Smith :- Another good day in a steep learning curve for the youngster. Uses the ball really well even when under pressure. From a defensive point of view, the pure lack of mention of Mr Petrov says it all.
RMed Verdict :- 7

Burke :- Started livley enough only to be whacked by McManus early on. Was a good creative threat in the first half but faded in the second, especially after THAT miss.
RMed Verdict :- 6

G Rae :- First start in two years but it didnt show. Put in a terrific defensive shift covering every blade of grass. My only disappointment was the lack of his old trademark runs beyond the ball.
RMed Verdict :- 7

Hemdani :- Best game in a Rangers Jersey. Always looking for the ball and controling possesion. His one flaw was his inability to split open the Celtic defence.
RMed Verdict :- 7

Prso :- Like the rest was quiet in the first half but came to life in the second. Terrorising Telfer down the left hand side, creating two and nearly scoring one glorious chance. Was amazed when Big Eck moved him inside, which coincided with our fall from grace.
RMed Verdict :- 8 ( MOTM, Captian for the day and performed accordingly)

Buffel :- Spent most of his time chasing the ball along Celtics back four. Had one or two driving runs and a couple of passes that opened them up (Shame about the linesman!!) but wasn't his day.
RMed Verdict :- 6

Boyd :- Ineffective against their two big centre backs where sometimes modility can be a bigger threat. Was starved of supply though and the single oppertunity that he did get he tucked away superbly (Queue Mr linseman AGAIN).
RMed Verdict :- 6

Big Eck :- Couldn't understand his thinking today. Must have given a good half time talk because he got a reaction from the players , BUT, Why, as above, move Prso when he was having soo much joy? Why move Burkey to the left when IMO he had nothing left in the tank and WHY OH WHY bring on a pace monster, when we need to win the game, with only twenty seconds left on the clock??
RMed Verdict :- 5

It aint over yet, not by a long shot but i cant help feeling that we threw away two points today (now where have i felt that before this season??) Celtic were there for the taking as their desire was non existent, hence they got booed from their own fans. We must hope for them to pick up their game for the visit to Hearts or the dream of the CL will dissappear.

WATP

Baz.