So, the first half is over and the score is 0-0. It has been a largely uneventful game so far with only long range shots and the occasional runs from Marvin Emnes and Aidan McGeady lighting up the game.
Boro have dominated possesion and from the off Marvin Emnes showed Boro fans what he is all about, beating serveral players with his first run with the ball inside the opening 2 minutes of the game. He has continued to do the same and has had a long range shot well saved by Celtic goalkeeper Brown. Julio Arca has also impressed for the Boro, having plenty of time on the ball and playing brilliant long passes aswell as through balls. One of those through balls put Graeme Owens through on goal but the academy graduate took 1 touch too many and was tackeld. Josh Walker has had 2 shots from outside the box and 1 was savd very well by the Celtic goalkeeper once again.
For Celtic, McGeady has been the livewire, running up and down the channel beating his man consistently and getting a good cross in the box. Georgios Samaras has been on the end of 2 of his crosses but his headers were both very tame and easily saved by Ross Turnbull.
Wholesale changes are expected from both managers and hopefully we will see a few goals – from the Boro.
Player Ratings
Ross Turnbull 6
Done everything he has been asked to do well but has not been tested yet.
Luke Young 6
Tough first half against McGeady, been beaten on a few occasions but also put in some good tackles.
David Wheater 7
Headed everything that has came his way – solid.
Emmanuel Pogatetz 6
Beaten in the air twice by McGeady but other than that another solid performance from the captain.
Jonathan Grounds 7
Supported the attacks well and cancelled out any threat from the opposition down Boro’s left flank.
Marvin Emnes 9
Been brilliant so far, constantly beating his man and looking to make positive runs and passes whenever he gets the ball. Also showed signs of good control.
Josh Walker 7
Surging forward whenever he gets the chance and is closing down well – playing simple short passes whenever he receives the ball.
Mohammed Shawky 6
Solid so far, had 2 long range shots – 1 was way over the bar and the other went narrowly wide. Got to cut out his mistakes when playing simple passes though as Celtic have won the ball off him fairly easily on a couple of occasions.
Julio Arca 8
Great game so far, playing brilliant long range and defence splitting passes. Is tracking back against Paul Hartley well whilst making some good turns to get away from his men when in compact positions.
Graeme Owens 7
Popped up all over the pitch and should have took on the shot first time when he was put through by Arca. Showed willingness to run with the ball and also run off the ball to get into good positions.
Afonso Alves 6
Getting isolated upfront but has had a couple of occasions where he has been able to stretch his legs and beat the defender in a sprint for the ball.
Manager Rating
Gareth Southgate 7. Good mix of players in the team but playing 4-5-1 does not suit us. However, Walker and Arca have proved great selections along with Emnes being handed his debut.