Brendan Rodgers has some big decisions to make after Celtic’s latest showing.
On the domestic scene, given Celtic’s healthy lead at the top, they can get away with iffy performances because it’s about when the title will be won, not if.
But, the champions have two huge games coming up in the Champions League and Rodgers needs to sort out a defence that hasn’t been performing since the turn of the year.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is the starting centre-back, with Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor as the fullbacks, but who joins them in the backline?
Rodgers has been chopping and changing with Auston Trusty and Liam Scales in recent weeks, and in truth, both aren’t proving why they should remain in the XI.
On Tuesday night, Celtic drew 3-3 at Dundee and Trusty had an off game, including being at fault for the opposition’s second and third goals.
Celtic told Auston Trusty ‘out of control’ against Dundee
If Celtic perform like this in the Champions League, then go back to that nightmare Dortmund game, it will repeat itself and the champions will get torn apart.
Stephen McGinn stated that Rodgers will be ‘disappointed’ by what he is seeing and stated that Trusty was ‘out of control’ at Dens Park, as he told BBC Radio Scotland.
Whether it be from open play or set pieces, it seems as though the team isn’t dealing with the opposition’s level of aggression and physicality.
“The first goal, you can always lose a goal from a counter-attack,” said McGinn. “It’s the manner of the goals. It’s just a bump by Simon Murray on Auston Trusty and he seemed to be totally out of control, in terms of his defending, then Josh Mulligan is clean in.
“And the third goal, no manager likes losing set-piece goals. It’s just the ease of it. One you almost work on in training without the defending team coming in when you work it at the back post and your man wins it at the back post.
“The manner of the goals, yeah, he (Rodgers) will be absolutely disappointed with.”
Trusty’s stats this season for Celtic
Celtic paid big money for Trusty and they need him performing as soon as possible, or else, serious questions will be asked.
Even now, many will ask for the club to dip into the transfer market and buy another centre-back because, in truth, only three are competing for two spots.
Saying that, Trusty has been rated 7.39 by WhoScored for his performances in the Premiership and 6.73 for his displays in the Champions League.
| Tournament | Apps | Goals | Tackles won | Clearances | Aerials Won | MotM | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | 13 | 1 | 2.1 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 1 | 7.39 |
| Champions League | 5(1) | – | 2.8 | 4.2 | 1.7 | 1 | 6.73 |
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
