SPL Discussion Thread

**jebus** · 16/04/2008, 8:44 PM

Not a Celtic fan by any stretch, but they do put on good shows on occasion, just result in the end I think

**rambler14** · 16/04/2008, 8:47 PM

That was unreal. I would have loved to be there.

**Marked Man** · 16/04/2008, 8:50 PM

Picked a good time to finally win a ball in the air in Rangers box.

They really need a target man in the Sutton mold to maximize the effectiveness of McGeady's wing play and Nakamura's passing.

**Plastic Paddy** · 16/04/2008, 8:53 PM

Agreed . JVoH should be that player but he's a lazy sod. Oh for another Sutton...

PP

**Poor Student** · 16/04/2008, 9:42 PM

Just wait till Eirebhoy gets here to discuss Nakamura's goal.

**Marked Man** · 16/04/2008, 9:45 PM

Fluke.

**rambler14** · 16/04/2008, 9:52 PM

Nakamura is highly over-rated if he wasn't so great at a dead ball then he wouldn't be playing.
He got Player of the Year last year for his dead ball ability alone but this year he's a totally different player.

**celticV3** · 16/04/2008, 10:21 PM

Whatever about Nakamura, what a goal!! should have had another great goal only for that ugly **** cuellar!!! such a result and hopefully we will be two points ahead next time we meet the darkside and put enough pressure on them to slip up

cannot wait to be in glasgow in two weeks hopefully the same again

**eirebhoy** · 17/04/2008, 8:09 AM

Originally Posted by rambler14

Nakamura is highly over-rated if he wasn't so great at a dead ball then he wouldn't be playing.
He got Player of the Year last year for his dead ball ability alone but this year he's a totally different player.

Celtic wouldn't have won the league last season without Naka. He ran the show in almost every home game and quite a few of the away games. Like I'm saying in the S.Ireland thread, those 5 yard passes can be very effective and last season Naka was playing more passes than anyone on the pitch in the majority of games. 50% of the time Lennon got the ball last season he gave it to Naka. If you watch closely, every time someone close to Naka has the ball he'll make sure he's in a position to receive it. When he has the ball the players seem to expect him to find them. They might make a forward run into the box in the hope he'll get it through to them. I love the Japanese genius.

After last night there's no doubt in my mind Naka has outperformed Barry Ferguson in the Old Firm's since Naka arrived. You never hear anything about Barry going missing at Celtic Park because his aggressive style of play. That's my main gripe. 6/10 Ferguson got in one of the tabloids last night. Naka's performance a few weeks ago was so much better than Ferguson's last night. I just don't get it. I've no doubt the vast majority of managers watching last night would have had Naka as motm.

Anyway, I can't believe how lucky Rangers are. They were so close to getting yet another undeserved result against Celtic last night. Thankfully Cuellar is suspended for the next Old Firm.

**eirebhoy** · 17/04/2008, 8:42 AM

Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

Strachan got away with his gamble last night in taking Robson off but the boo's said it all. Robson was probably Celtics best player. The front 2 were a joke. Cuellar had Hesselink in his pocket. When Strachan goes the new managers first task should be removing Hesselinks �28k a week wages from the wage bill.

I didn't think Robson was great actually. Was very aggressive and worked his arse off but way too anxious which meant a heavy first touch. When I saw that Samaras was coming on my friend asked who'd be taking off. I said McGeady or Robson. The majority of fans thought Robson was excellent last night though. He's a good player, I like him.

**eirebhoy** · 17/04/2008, 8:55 AM

Shunsuke Nakamura Outrageous banana shot deceived McGregor for the opening goal and it was his goalbound strike that prompted Cuellar to throw up a hand to concede Celtic's penalty. Aside from those two pivotal moments, though, it was hard to recall the Japanese creating anything else from open play 6

Aiden McGeady Celtic's most creative outlet. Had to cope with the twin presence of Broadfoot and Whittaker in the first half but still managed to send in a number of tantalising crosses. Faded after the break when Whittaker dropped back to full-back but was still able to add a contribution whenever he received the ball 7

hahaha

They really haven't got a clue about the game of football in the Scottish media. Naka cannot be judged on the amount of chances he creates ffs. Imaging judging Pirlo on the chances he creates. I can't believe they still don't know what type of player Naka is.

**Lim till i die** · 17/04/2008, 9:44 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Shunsuke Nakamura Outrageous banana shot deceived McGregor for the opening goal and it was his goalbound strike that prompted Cuellar to throw up a hand to concede Celtic's penalty. Aside from those two pivotal moments, though, it was hard to recall the Japanese creating anything else from open play 6

Aiden McGeady Celtic's most creative outlet. Had to cope with the twin presence of Broadfoot and Whittaker in the first half but still managed to send in a number of tantalising crosses. Faded after the break when Whittaker dropped back to full-back but was still able to add a contribution whenever he received the ball 7

Out of curiosity what way would you have scored those??

**eirebhoy** · 17/04/2008, 10:26 AM

Hartley 7
Robson 6.5
McGeady 5
Naka 7.5

Vennegoor 7
McDonald 6

The defence as poor as always.

**Lim till i die** · 17/04/2008, 11:05 AM

Sounds a bit simplistic but the lack of shots from Celtic last night, first when faced with a crippled keeper, then with a reserve one, was astonishing. Surely the likes of Nakamura should have been peppering them in from all over the place, any spillages and a big boy like VoH would have caused all kinds of panic in the box.

Also, the amount of times McGeady and Nakamura give the ball away is staggering. In fairness, I suppose it could just be an Old Firm game thing

**eirebhoy** · 17/04/2008, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

Also, the amount of times McGeady and Nakamura give the ball away is staggering.

Naka very rarely gives the ball away. His passing hasn't been as good as last season which I think is a bit down to confidence (he seemed low in confidence before his goal last night). Last season it was a shock when he lost misplaced any kind of pass or lost possession.

As for shots, Naka rarely shoots from far tbh. It's a bit frustrating sometimes because he obviously has the quality.

**see's it** · 17/04/2008, 11:33 AM

hartley 7 what game were you watching?

**eirebhoy** · 17/04/2008, 12:32 PM

Rangers try to play on the break. Celtic played 2 strikers and 3 attacking midfielders. Hartley had to guard for that Rangers break and did so superbly. Excellent off the ball. Himself and Robson were up against Ferguson, Dailly and the excellent Davis and the 2 Celtic men won the battle.

**eirebhoy** · 17/04/2008, 1:18 PM

Originally Posted by rambler14

What a goal!!!!!!

Shunsuke Nakamura take a bow. Just when we thought the league was over the Man from Japan steps forward.

I'm surpised at the lack of talk of this goal. If it had been heading 15 feet wide and crept in by the post it would surely be making the headlines. It did move about 15 feet from right to left.