Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Gerogeorwell

THE FRIENDLY GHOST – 7/10 – The goalie who shouldn’t be there – well, he is a ghost – makes a classic Schmeichel flailing-arm stop to keep us square and shut up the doubters, this one included. Takes a big character to reset the ‘keeping heid and go again after a bad one like Thursday but he’s got that in abundance right through the genes and we saw it today as he voiced his encouragement to drive a struggling team back into the game and on to a great win.

TONY THE TIGER – 6/10 – There’s a bit of a rumble in the jungle, so throw in The Brickie. What you’ll get is 100% and more if he can find it. What you won’t get is consistent finesse, as clear when a heavy touch compounded our slackness and led to their equaliser. But when the chips were crashing to the table and the clock was bleeding fast, you get incessant Ralston on the wing looking for killer balls/supporting. You won’t lose a game for want of Tony’s input.

SCRATCHY – 6/10 – He’s a bit mad mental – the mad was some fine attacking contributions, the mental defensive errors out of the blue, saved by Kasper once, but no stopping the penalty Scratchy conceded with a clumsy stamp. He’s more positive than negative at this stage; need to maintain that ratio lest we see yet another erratic full-back sell the jerseys too many times.

OF JUSTICE – 7.5/10 MOTM – This is how it’s done, by the way, Playstation FIFA virgins: let’s explain in the Americanised lingo you crazy kids are so fond of – Play Of The Day goes to the Celtic’s Defensive Endbacker Liam, ‘The Ginger Baresi’ Scales. Shout it through a mic with echo if it makes you feel a bit more WWF…You won’t see a better-timed goal-saving sliding tackle this season or any other, probably; Exemplary defending, the physical prowess and the mental sharpness to get there and cover. Maintained his command for the remainder of the game, frequently supporting attack with sensible layoffs, and positioning to contain their troublesome athleticism on the counter. Haters, sit this one out.

GET CARTER – 7/10 – Good to see him get his hands full of rangy big opponents and come out scrapping and winning. A lot of physical battles keeps him tuned, I reckon, making for a solid display and a learning experience; occupied for the full match, put in a good one.

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