Celts lack fight in Rotterdam

[Martin]

Celts lack fight in Rotterdam


Celtic - Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Robson, Brown, Hartley, McGeady, JVOH ,McDonald

Tottenham Hotspur – Gomes, Assou-Ketto, Dawson, Woodgate, Zokora, Huddlestone, Jenas, Modric, Lennon, Berbatov, Bent


Celtic and Tottenham kicked off the opening game of the Feyenoord Tournament, with tournament organisers unhappy at Gordon Strachan’s failure to attend a pre-match press conference, fielding strong teams but delivering a somewhat lacklustre contest on a warm evening in Rotterdam with Spurs winning comfortably 2-0. Celtic fielded what many would consider their strongest XI, bar the injured Nakamura, but failed to show the combative streak which was much in evidence in the recent friendly against old foes Porto.

For much of the first half Celtic struggled to retain possession and Spurs played through them with relative ease. Once again Artur Boruc proved just how vital he is to his team with a series of close range saves which kept the scoreline down. Ironically the opening goal came not from neat passing from Tottenham but was a gift from Celtic’s midfielder Paul Hartley who attempted a suicidal pass back to his keeper from just inside his own half. Darren Bent pounced on the wayward ball and rounded Boruc to slot the ball in to the empty net. Celtic slowly rallied to at least finish the half playing some football in the final third although with little cutting edge. Young McGeady looked strangely out of sorts and the Hoops over-reliance on his undoubted talents was evident.

Celtic emerged for the second half with O’Dea on for skipper McManus who had sustained an injury in the opening period, started to string some passes together and inch their way in to the game. Strachan then made a few changes in quick succession - Caddis for Robson, Samaras for Vennegoor of Hesselink, Naylor for Wilson and Donati for Hartley. This seemed to have little effect in upping the ante for the Scottish champions and Spurs converted their superiority, with some ease it must be said, with a second goal in the 80th minute from debutant David Bentley, a recent signing from Blackburn Rovers.

Overall this was a poor performance from Gordon Strachan’s side. The Hoops boss has always played down the significance of results in pre-season friendlies and, to be fair to him, despite poor pre-season results in each of his three seasons in charge he has led his team to the title in all three seasons. Nevertheless with only two weeks until competitive action Celtic fans may be entitled to see performances with a bit more vigour and purpose.