The first real save of the 2nd half came from the Celtic keeper after Jeremie Aliadiere had a long range, low drive parried away. Ross Turnbull was in action not long later as on the hour he got down brilliantly to his right to save a Barry Robson free kick from 20 yards out.
After a couple of dazzling Adam Johnson runs, Jeremie Aliadiere opened the scoring for Boro after a mix up in the Celtic defence. Adam Johnson was wrong footed by a Boro pass and Celtic’s Darren O’Dea played a very short back pass from the edge of the box, only for keeper Mark Brown to come rushing out and strike the ball against an alert Aliadiere. The ball ricocheted off Aliadiere and into the net. 72 minutes gone: Boro 1-0 Celtic.
With Boro completely dominating from first minute to last, the Boro were robbed with a late goal. Celtic won a corner in the 91st minute and after a weak puch by Ross Turnbull the ball found its way into the box and to Jan Venegoor of Hesselink who finished the chance, the ball going through Adam Johnson’s legs on the way to the back of the net. 91 minutes gone: Boro 1-1 Celtic
Overall, a very good display from everybody with the new signings impressing in particular. but, in the end, we were robbed.
Typical Boro!
Player Ratings
Ross Turnbull 6
With no brad Jones, Turnbull was guaranteed a full 90 minute run-out. Brilliant save from Barry Robson’s free kick, getting down low to his right to parry the shot away. Will be disappointed that his weak puch had some part to play in Celtic’s goal.
Tony McMahon 7
Replaced Luke Young at the start of the 2nd half. Cancelled out the threat of Aiden McGeady and got forward well.
Rhys Williams 7
Replaced David Wheater at the start of the 2nd half. Very assured game from the youngster, should be pleased with himself about the way he handled the opposition and linked up well with Huth.
Robert Huth 8
Replaced Emmanuel Pogatetz at the start of the 2nd half. Cleared a good Celtic cross off the line in the opening minutes of the 2nd half and controlled the defence with a typically robust display.
Andrew Taylor 6
Replaced Jonathan Grounds at the start of the 2nd half. Solid game, never troubled by the Celtic wingers.
Didier Digard 9
Replaced Marvin Emnes at the start of the 2nd half. A different class for Boro in the 2nd half. Had a shaky first 5 minutes but once he settled he controlled the game from hsi role just in front of the defence. Made strong challenges and marked his men well, making 1 or 2 exciting forward runs aswell. Showed pace, flair, strength and hunger.
Josh Walker 8
The only surviving outfield player from the 1st half. Was asked to play on the right and gave 100% before being replaced at the 75 minute mark.
John Johnson 6
Replaced Mohammed Shawky at the start of the 2nd half. Put his foot in and drove forward on various occasions.
Gary O’Neil 7
Replaced Julio Arca at the start of the 2nd half and captained the side. Tried to force the game for Boro and put in some hard work aswell as linking up with the wide players well.
Adam Johnson 7
Replaced Graeme Owens at the start of the 2nd half. A few dazzling runs and tracked back well when required, should have stopped the shot which lead to the goal instead of letting it trickle through his legs on the line.
Jeremie Aliadiere 8
Replaced Afonso Alves at the start of the 2nd half. Made a good run to win a free kcik just after half time and also had a good, low, long range shot saved by the Celtic goalkeeper. Lucky goal but Aliadiere was alert enough to pressure the Celtic keeper into making the mistake. Once again, showed his willingness to run.
Tuncay Sanli 7
Replaced Josh Walker at the 75 minute mark. Remarkably, after only joining up with Boro at the airport because of just coming off his holidays after Euro 2008, he was very sharp and showed some great touches.
Manager Rating
Gareth Southgate 7. Picked the right mix of players in each half and will surely be impressed by the performance of everyone. However, the 4-5-1 formation doesn’t work.
We wuz robbed! Dominated the game from start to finish only for Septic to score in the last minute!
we nearly got a winner after we equalised although it was a pretty poor game dont agree that middlesbrough dominated sorry marron
yeah dominated with a 5 man defence. Both teams were pish. Hopefully the fitness levels improved.
Dominated? LMAO, would love to see the score in a competitive game. You are merley the EPL’s version of St.Mirren.
Yeh you nearly got a winner dannybhoy46, although we did take the game to you more in the whole game and deserved the win. Was only McGeady who was a threat for you lot before the goal.
Possession-wise. Boro had more of the ball. Neither team did much all game. It was like a training session, which is what they are really. The game against Guimaraes should be good!!