Player Ratings: Zenit 2 - 1 Dundalk FC

By Caoimhin Reilly in St Petersburg

Moral victories are no use to this team of winners, although the level that this Dundalk team are operating at is a revelation in terms of Irish domestic football.

They could have done nothing more against Zenit last night with individual errors hampering Kenny’s men’s efforts to secure points. On another night perhaps they could have left the Petrovsky with a point or more.

Here’s how we rated them:

Gary Rogers: 9 

Possibly his best performance in a Dundalk shirt. After a number of turbulent weeks in and out of the team, Rogers stood-out on the night producing three breath-taking stops to deny Zenit either side of the break. His kicking, catching and command was exemplary.

Sean Gannon: 8 

A night which saw Gannon’s concentration tested to the maximum with Zenit opting to focus their offensive traffic down the left. He completed his task with flying colours though, never being caught out-of-position and taking no chances. Back to his brilliant best.

Brian Gartland: 7 

Gartland was superb and only for one little slip, which came at a huge cost, he could have been in the Man of the Match reckoning. When his team needed him after half-time, he produced defending his goal mouth bravely, despite possibly being caught static for the winner.

Andy Boyle: 9 

Boyle’s best game for Dundalk. He was absolutely outstanding, almost flawless. He made countless blocks and interceptions in the first half and kept the defence in shape after the interval when the pressure was on. An Irish international in waiting.

Dane Massey: 6

Linked well with Finn and Horgan at times too.Had to withstand lots of pressure from Zenit and while not doing too badly considering the conditions struggled at times when his presence was needed.

John Mountney: 7 

Harshly sacrificed at half time with Kenny wanting to understandably introduce Stephen O’Donnell. Mountney was pitted against Zenit’s weak-link, Domenico Criscito, and exploited him in getting plenty of service into the area. Hit the post and linked well with Finn in particular.

Ronan Finn: 9 

Easily the best player on the pitch for the first 30 minutes. Controlled the play with his composure on and will to get the ball. A player of a technical ilk untypical of seasoned Irish internationals and another player who Martin O’Neill should consider because his type are few and far between.

Chris Shields: 7 

Dominant in the first-half, although after the break he was unable to have the same impact. Shields seems to struggle when having a partner in the defensive midfield department, instead looking more effective alone. He visibly tired as the match progressed but still offered the defence invaluable protection.

Patrick McEleney: 7 

Almost grabbed all of the headlines which his scrumptious chipped effort in the late on hitting both the bar and post. Was heavily involved in good Dundalk moves before the interval, but playing on the wing didn’t allow him to test the Zenit defence with his supply non-existant.

Daryl Horgan: 9 

Another game and another top performance from the winger as he proved exactly why he deserves his spot in Martin O’Neill’s provisional squad for the upcoming Austria qualifier. Finished with aplomb for his goal, showing such composure in slotting home. His valuation must be multiplying by the game.

David McMillan: 7

Given a thankless job in having to feed off scraps with Zenit compressing the Lilywhites in for lengthy spells. Showing a new facet to his game recently by pulling off the centre-backs and finding passes in behind which is promising for the future. He just need that one chance that didn’t come his way, but a whole-hearted performance as ever.

Substitutes:

Stephen O’Donnell: 8

The skipper came in for the second period and was wonderful in shepherding his flock into position. He always gets his team playing even when a pass doesn’t look on with his calmness personified approach reassuring others around him. Superb second-half showing.

Ciaran Kilduff: 7 

It’s uncanny the way that he always looks like he’ll be the one to get you the goal. Had the deflection off the woodwork from McEleney’s late shot been kinder the big man was in to tap home. Similarly, when Horgan’s late free-kick deflected off the wall the striker led the chasing charge. Almost.

Dean Shiels: 7 

A player who always makes a difference coming off the bench. Shiels is a fabulous asset on the ball with his energy and vision offering an alternative to Stephen Kenny’s other options. He possibly could have been introduced earlier having looked the likeliest to provide the killer pass when he did come on.