İSKOÇYA PREMIERSHIP'TE 15. HAFTANIN KARMASI
SPL Team of the Week (SETANTA SPORTS)
Goalkeeper: Artur Boruc – Celtic
The Poland international has had more Man of the Match awards this season than most of his team-mates have had hot dinners. Another solid display at Tynecastle on Saturday with only Andrius Velicka’s last-minute penalty blotting his copybook. He will be sorely missed if, as expected, he is forced to have a knee operation after Tuesday’s Champions League game with Milan.
Right back: Darren Dods – Dundee United
A slight shift in position for Dods, but his pace enables him to fill in at full back with no problem whatsoever. Inverness saw the back of The Tangerines but it could have been more it had not been for Dods’ stern defence.
Centre back: Christophe Berra – Hearts
Berra is a no-nonsense defender who is certain to steady any defence. The Scottish youngster was immaculate as Hearts restricted Celtic to a one-goal lead before eventually grabbing themselves an injury-time equaliser.
Centre back: Stephen McManus – Celtic
McManus is perhaps the most unsurprising inclusion in the back four. He has a place among the Celtic Park faithful’s hearts after his goal against Milan in October, but it is because of his display at the other end of the field – thanks to some good old fashioned defending – that he earns his place in the side.
Left back: Grant Munro – Inverness CT
Munro is an easy choice on the left-hand side of defence after his tireless performance down the flank on Saturday – he was as effective going forward as he was in keeping out the Dundee United attack.
Right midfield: Barry Nicholson – Aberdeen
Nicholson continued to justify Jimmy Calderwood’s faith in him with another all-action performance. He continued his rich vein of form from the off with a testing 25-yard drive and failed to let up throughout.
Centre midfield: Mehdi Taouil – Kilmarnock
The Morocco international slots into the centre of midfield to pull the strings as he did so effectively at Ibrox on Saturday. If it had not been for Colin Nish’s profligacy in front of goal, Taouil would have secured an assist for himself and perhaps helped Kilmarnock to earn at least a point.
Centre midfield: Derek Young – Aberdeen
Any four-man midfield needs a goalscorer and Derek Young fills that void this week. Young got his name on the scoresheet with four minutes to go on Sunday to wrap up the three points for The Dons.
Left midfield: Steven Naismith – Rangers
Naismith’s presence on the left completes an attacking line across the middle of the park. He should have scored himself in the first half but sent the ball wide before putting in a fine second-half display that included a neat reverse pass to set up Steven Whittaker for The Gers’ second of the game.
Striker: Pedro Moutinho – Falkirk
The Portugese forward walks his way into the starting XI with a brace at St Mirren. Lax defending allowed him to waltz through for his first, before a cutely-struck half-volley secured his place in our team.
Striker: David Clarkson – Motherwell
Clarkson joins Moutinho after scoring two goals himself over the weekend to form a potent strike force. The 22-year-old youngster has not always been as composed as he could be in front of goal but was particularly impressive in the way he found the net for the second time with a sweet strike on Saturday.
