Man By Man

Mar 30 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

Celtic

ARTUR BORUC 6

HAD virtually nothing to do before picking the ball out of the net just before half-time. Couldn't be faulted for Thomson goal but entitled to ask questions of midfield for not picking up the runner. Booked for getting himself involved with officials but pulled off cracking stop from Adam late on.

ANDREAS HINKEL 7

COPED well with the aerial threat of McCulloch and didn't let the big man bully him. Helped by Nakamura going back the way but couldn't get forward as much as he would have liked on Old Firm debut. When he did in 65 minutes he forced McGregor into a great save. A decent display.

GARY CALDWELL 6

SHOULD have been spare man beside McManus who was marking Darcheville for Gers goal so he will be disappointed at not reading Thomson's run into the box. Had plenty of possession at the back but couldn't influence game with distribution or from set-pieces. Fired long balls into the Gers half as Celts chased equaliser.

STEPHEN McMANUS 6

BOOKED for late lunge on Darcheville early on and allowed the French striker time to pick out Thomson for Rangers' goal. Threatened at the other end when he headed wide from a Nakamura corner but wasn't his day. Escaped red after blatant block on Darcheville midway through second half.

LEE NAYLOR 5

MANAGED to get forward more than Hinkel on the other side but distribution let him down badly when he got into Rangers' half. Tried to feed McGeady and support him but was always wary of Davis breaking. Stupidly lost the rag in second half and picked up yellow card.

SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA 7

DEFIED the pundits who said he shouldn't have started. Often slated for displays at Ibrox but this was one of his best. Kept the ball and found space in midfield. Tracked back to help Hinkel with McCulloch and didn't allow Whittaker to bomb on either. Was always involved.

SCOTT BROWN 6

STARTED confidently and was popping up unmarked in decent areas. Despite being outnumbered in midfield, Brown got beyond his strikers and will rue a couple of missed chances. His finishing let him down badly and he faded in second half. Outshone by pal Thomson.

PAUL HARTLEY 6

KNEW he'd be up against it in engine room where Gers had more bodies but did well as anchorman behind Brown. Will be gutted he didn't match Thomson's run for winner though. Tried to rally troops as Celts pressed for leveller but wasn't to be and replaced by Robson.

AIDEN McGEADY 7

CELTIC'S main threat down the left and it was a case of less tricks, more effective. The Irish winger tormented Broadfoot at times and put in plenty of decent crosses in first half. Didn't get as much joy in second half though, as Davis got back to help, and failed to really influence the game.

GEORGIOS SAMARAS 7

GIVEN the nod up front ahead of top scorer Scott McDonald and probably justified his selection. More mobile than Vennegoor of Hesselink and dropped off Rangers' centrebacks to pick up possession. Great ball for Brown chance in first half. Can be relatively pleased with Old Firm debut.

JAN VENNEGOOR OF HESSELINK 5

BIG Dutchman failed to live up to his repuation again. Did little except win a few unproductive headers and was dominated throughout by Cuellar. When he tried to come short Dailly was there covering. Had half-chance after the break but headed straight at McGregor. Subbed for McDonald.

SUBS: SCOTT McDONALD (2): On for ineffective Vennegoor of Hesselink but didn't get on the end of a decent chance in the last 11 minutes. BARRY ROBSON (2): Replaced Hartley in 81 minutes but failed to see much of the ball as Celtic toiled.