End Of Season Report Card

Frazer Forster - Relatively untroubled throughout the season and bar Rangers game early season has looked extremely comfortable. Still leaves a niggling feeling that under the cosh there would be better candidates in the market we could get between the sticks for a similar type of fee as Newcastle would be looking for. B –

Lukasz Zalusca – Didn’t take his opportunity prior to Forster’s signing with a ‘mare against Utrecht. Need a backup that can be relied upon to do better that that. Hopefully will go on to prove he is a good keeper elsewhere. F

Mark Wilson - Rediscovered his best Celtic form in 2011 where his versatility, ability, and experience helped our defence maintain easily the best record in the country despite a horrendous run of injuries. Form prevented us from feeling the absence of Cha’s early season performances. B+

Cha Du Ri - Good addition to the squad, added strength, and pace in both defensive and attacking areas. Crossing had improved prior to Asian Cup leave, then a run of injuries which curtailed the second half of his season. B

Charlie Mulgrew – Proved his worth in both a midfield and centre half berth when Lennon really needed him to step up and be counted in the absence of others. Gave his all and showed that for the modest transfer fee in his signing; his ability, consistency, goal threat, enthusiasm and new found positional maturity, he demonstrates great value. A –

Dan Majstorovic – His experience helped those around him and the relative novelty of an aggressive centre half who attacks the ball in the air was a breath of fresh air, particularly given most SPL’s ‘subtle’ style of football. Was posted completely missing at the defeats in Inverness and at Ibrox which has to be taken into consideration against anything else good he brought, but given his age and pace perhaps shouldn’t be totally surprising. B –

Thomas Rogne – Got over the previous seasons injury problems to give a good return of 20 games. Brought in to partner Mulgrew in January and was steady, astute, and composed. Next step is to hold a starting spot under healthy competition. C+

Glenn Loovens - Given a deserved exodus from the side after complete horror show at Perth in October (on the back of several other toothless outings). But to be fair to Loovens, he hauled himself just about back from the brink with competent showings on the smattering of appearances afterwards. Albeit under no real pressure, had terrific performances in the final three games of the season. D -

Emilio Izaguirre – Assured, imposing, strong, and eye-catching throughout the season. A joy to watch going forward, and works hard to get back and cover his defensive duties too. His performance in the 3-0 win against Rangers was a master class in the art of the modern day fullback. A


James Forrest - Great impact for debut season in first team, scored goals and was the difference in several early season games. In and out the team after injury, but his pace and direct running offer a great option and one Lennon seems to rate highly. B

Efrain Juarez – Promised much, delivered very little. Be it attitude or whatever else, unless he sorts whatever is maintaining his absence from the starting line up then he’ll have future at Celtic. F

Niall McGinn – Injury interrupted season, but when given a run in the team, seems to make a good impact. Like Forrest, pacey, stays wide and is very direct. Next year will be make or break as to whether he’ll ever be a fixture as a Celtic player. C-

Ki Sung Yeung – Starting to impose himself on games in the manner a player of his ability, vision, and even physique should be. Took his chance with Brown and Kayal’s absences and managed to finish the season back in the side and on great form, not allowing his Asian Cup leave, to curtail his opportunity. A –

Beram Kayal – Possesses a will to win that befits his ability on the ball. Uses the ball well, tackles, gets forward, and is a great influence on others. Had injury not kept him out of a large part of 2010 then I have no doubts he would have deservedly ended the season a league champion. A+

Marc Crosas – Made more impact on twitter than he did on the pitch. Clearly a capable player that will do well in the rest of his career. Sadly never showed that he was able to hold down a place in our midfield long-term. F

Scott Brown – Without doubt, Brown has at times this season played his best stuff as a Celtic player. Works tirelessly for the team, has improved his passing and cut out the silly stuff that at times bogs him down. Still think he has a bit to learn to be as effective in the middle as he can be wide right. B+

Joe Ledley – Mr Consistency. Could impose himself a bit more on games in an attacking sense, but positioning, work rate, defensive work, and his performances against Rangers have marked his Debut season at Celtic a success. B

Paddy McCourt – Showed that he can do the simple things to go with undoubted talent and wonder goals. Held his place in the team at times and always looks positive and capable of opening defences up. How long will he hang around unless he can become a permanent fixture on the team sheet? B

Shaun Maloney – Ubiquitously in and out the team through injury. Shows enough when involved to keep him part of things, but is reaching an age where more is expected in terms of being consistent and able to be relied on by his team mates. C

Freddie Ljungberg – Didn’t do too much wrong, but never made enough of an impact when he had his chance to justify keeping others out of the team. F

Olivier Kapo – He came, he saw, he left. F

Kris Commons – Made as much of an impact in a season as you are ever likely to see from a January acquisition. Scored 15 goals from midfield in half a season, created several others, and was a thorn in Rangers side when he had the chance to play against them. Terrific. A

Gary Hooper – His movement, pace, partnerships, and goals really did surpass expectation for a player signed from Scunthorpe. Like Kayal was unlucky to miss part of season with injury, but made up for lost time the minute he was in the side.
A

Anthony Stokes – His goals and his link up play with Hooper were a feature of much of the positives in Celtic’s attacking football. Needs to learn when and where to take his man in, and when to keep things simple. His work rate improved as the season progressed and he was unlucky to be overlooked for a couple of key matches. B

Giorgios Samaras - Unquantifiable – even in ratings. From the sublime to the ridiculous at times. He has ability and he works hard, but at times in the wrong areas and with the decision making of a child with a felt tip pen near a cream sofa.

Daryl Murphy – His Messi like dribble and finish aside, didn’t offer anything like enough to give us a different type of option as a big man upfront. F

_________________________

Neil Lennon

After what most would describe as a pretty incredible season, in terms of consistency and quality produced on the pitch every bit as much as the incidents off it, it still seems absurd that Lennon did not end his first season as a manager with the league trophy. Bold decisions like a mass influx in transfers last summer were in the main vindicated, and his use of Celtic’s scouting network has without doubt been a true success. Unafraid to drop players be it fans favourite or a big personality within the squad which is definitely a bonus for future development, however needs to learn that there are times when it’s important to have all his best goal scoring threats on the pitch at the same time

European games came too early to judge either manager or squad’s ability to compete at that level, but it is fair to say an improvement on what was shown in those early season fixture for the club and it’s supporters to be contented.

What was shown in the season was a determination, team spirit and for the most part, a cutting edge that had been sadly lacking for the past couple of seasons. Disappointing moments like the Inverness catastrophe and a toothless end of November cost us dear when compared with Walter Smith’s mindboggling royal blue juggernaught.

Lennon has shown he is very capable, not afraid of a difficult decision, extremely committed, and has a great eye for a signing. Next year will be a real test for Lennon, can he show that he can build on his early promise, keep focussing on the pitch, and is he able to replace players piece by piece until the squad are all capable to perform at the standard required of top level football.

Certainly wouldn’t go as far as saying ‘must do better’, but from this season’s offering, there is more than enough evidence to suggest that Celtic definitely can do better. B+

Eastern End Bhoys

Almost four years since Gordon Strachan persuaded a Work Permit appeal panel that as a player of immense potential and huge technical ability, Koki Mizuno’s move to Celtic should be ratified, the Japanese winger is currently part of a successful club side whose stock is most definitely on the rise.

However things have certainly not gone according to plan for 25 year-old Mizuno. While he may be part of a successful team, he is not playing in the hallowed footballing continent of Europe as he had hoped, and indeed has become very much a bit part, squad player as he works himself back from injury playing for Kashiwa Reysol back in his homeland.

Following a patient wait and being continually and curiously overlooked after some very promising performances in his first competitive outings, Mizuno returned to Japan with Kashiwa Reysol in the summer of 2010 after playing only 12 games in Scotland.

Dropping to the second tier of Japanese football, hoping to Kick-start his career, in a crushing blow, young Mizuno tore knee ligaments within ten minutes of his Reysol debut. In his absence his teammates have gone from strength to strength under the leadership of veteran Brazilian manager Nelsinho Baptista. Aiming to recapture their form of mid to late 90’s when superstar players like Careca and Stoichkov donned their colours, Kashiwa Reysol won Division 2 last season and are sitting top of the J-League with 8 matches played so far this term.

Injury free Mizuno now aims to get more game time, get back in the starting eleven, and get his career back on track.

"When I found out the extent of the injury, at first it was a big shock, I had just come to the club and I was brought in as a reinforcement to help win promotion, so I felt like I had let the team down.

I got injured last season and was only able to play one game, so I want to win my place in the team as soon as possible.

Having just come up from J2 it will be a hard season, but last year we were able to establish our style and we are aiming to make progress.

I had injuries in Scotland, and the hardest aspect of it is how it affects you mentally. How you deal with it is the most important thing, and you have to make sure you keep your motivation up.

Playing for Celtic with Nakamura helped me a lot off the pitch as well as on it, To be able to play with a player like that and get advice from him is something that can only make me a better player.

"I went over there (to Scotland) and didn’t really show what I could do, and I still haven't got back to the level that I was at before. I wish I had been able to show my strong points, but that is what I am aiming to do here.
If had gone over there and given it more, then I think I could have made it, and that's something I regret.

But that will spur me on to improve here.

Playing in the Old firm Derby for Celtic was amazing — unlike anything I've ever experienced, it was something I really enjoyed, and to be able to take part in a game like that is the biggest achievement of my career. I want to work hard and improve here so that I can sample an atmosphere like that again in the future."

Meanwhile 53 Km South West of Kashiwa, Mizuno’s former team mate and a man who certainly savoured the big match atmosphere at Celtic, Shunsuke Nakamura is definitely more of a central figure on his return to Japan. Having started all but one league game so far this season which he missed through minor injury, captain Nakamura, always the consummate professional, has performed well but not quite at the scintillating heights he did in his first spell for hometown side Yokohama Marinos, or indeed in his explosive spell in Scotland with Celtic.


With his technique, quiet influence, and now vast experience; it was expected that Nakamura would drive Marinos back to challenge for the title after eight years completely out of contention. And indeed on his second debut for the club, he scored a trademark long range strike signalling he might do just that. Offering quite the opposite in terms of success that Mizuno suffered on his immediate return to their home country. Despite being an integral part of every starting line-up, Nakamura has not consistently dominated games in the way that had been hoped scoring only 4 more goals in over 30 games last season, taking them to a lacklustre 8th position in the J-League.

This season has seen Nakamura’s side fair far better, currently in third place, only 3 points from the top, and the Marinos faithful will be hoping their captain can add a patented free kick or five to his solitary strike this term to help them overthrow his old pal Koki Mizuno’s team from top of the league.