Dunfermline threatend to fight back against Celtic in today's Scottish Cup final with a much improved second half. But they had given themselves too much to do after conceding two in the first half. Here's how their players rated.
Aston Oxborough - 6
Hung out to dry a bit for the first goal after John Tod’s error allowed Daizen Maeda in and his teammates let him down again for the second, not shutting Arne Engels down and allowing the Belgian to arrow a powerful shot to the goalkeeper’s left. However, Oxborough might have to take his share of the blame as he was flat footed. In between the goals, he was sharp to come out and sweep up and also made a couple of other interventions from low crosses.
Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen - 6
Started on the right side of a back three and made some smart blocks to stop the first half from becoming even worse. Into the second period as part of a four now, began to step out of the backline and start attacks with progressive play. Desperately tried to stop Iheanacho from putting in the third but was unable.
John Tod - 5
Started pretty well in his attempts to marshall Maeda, the one time the Japanese buzzbomb got in behind him, he did enough to put him off. However, it was Tod’s error that led to the opener as he failed to cut out Alistair Johnston’s ball forward and Maeda finished with a brilliant lob. To be fair to Tod, he settled back into it reasonably well but was then taken off at half-time.
Kieran Ngwenya - 6
A similar performance to Chilokoa-Mullen on the other side as part of a defensive performance that was actually strong for the most part, barring those two moments that led to goals.
Matty Todd - 5
A quiet first half for the talented midfielder but his set piece deliveries were one avenue from which the men in red looked like they could score. Like the rest of his teammates, stepped things up after the break for a much improved half.
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Tashan Oakley-Boothe - 5
Barely in the game as a part of a midfield that couldn’t get near to Celtic in the first half, sitting off too much and allowing them to dictate the game and have it all their own way. Hooked at half-time for Chris Kane as part of a change of shape.
Nurudeen Abdulai - 5
Another midfielder who was pretty much a passenger in the first half. Had a chance to get his side back into it with a header soon after half-time, but totally miscued his effort. Subbed for Alfons Amade on the hour mark.
Charlie Gilmour - 5
Engels was afforded far too much time and space to pick his shot with his piledriver of a second goal, and Gilmour was the most culpable. The midfielder was the closest player to the scorer and made no attempt to get out to him to stop the shot, or even get a block in. Was booked minutes later.
Robbie Fraser - 6
The former Rangers youngster was quiet in the first-half, forced back the way by Celtic’s dominance instead of being able to affect things in the other direction. But started the second half in a much more positive fashion as he drove up the left wing on a couple of occasions and was involved in creating some opportunities.
Callumn Morrison - 5
Almost poked Dunfermline into a priceless early lead when he got to the ball ahead of Alistair Johnston and Viljami Sinisalo, but didn’t get enough of a toe on it and Liam Scales was able to clear. Unable to get into the game much other than that and when it did go up to him, couldn’t make it stick.
Andrew Tod - 6
Usually such an influential figure for the Pars but, like Morrison, was barely in the game. When he did get a chance to see the ball, was unable to protect it and get his team up the pitch. Moved out to the left wing when Neil Lennon rejigged things after the break, and Tod began to have more involvement. Forced Sinisalo to claw away with a cross that almost creeped in at the back post.
Substitutes
Shea Kearney - 5
Played at right-back in the second half in the changed 4-3-3 formation and looked to get forward as much as possible while showing aggression in defence.
Chris Kane - 6
Came on for the second half looking very determined to try and turn the tide and that was achieved with the Championship on top early in the second 45. Had an early header saved by Sinisalo but just his general presence, work rate and hold-up play made a big difference.
Zak Rudden - 5
The final half-time changed as Dunfermline went 4-3-3 with Rudden through the middle and Kane and Tod to either side. Rudden didn’t have as much of an impact as Kane but did play his part in helping the ball start to stick to the top end, and then provided the ball into the box from which Josh Cooper eventually scored.
Alfons Amade - 4
Got the final 30 minutes in place of Abdulai and was unable to have much of an impact.
Josh Cooper - 5
Came on for Andrew Tod for the final 12 minutes and was on the scoresheet just two minutes later, tucking the ball away after arriving at the back post.
