In the jubilant aftermath of a historic Scottish Cup victory for Celtic against Rangers, it is easy for the euphoria of a shootout win to mask individual shortcomings.
However, for a Celtic side with aspirations of winning the double under Martin O’Neill this season, honest assessment is vital – and that’s where Joel Mvuka’s second-half cameo appearance comes into the picture.
Neil Lennon tried to be kind when he stated, ‘really erratic is putting it lightly’ when he reacted to Celtic’s January signing looking all over the place in extra time.
Many were left surprised when Mvuka was introduced into the Glasgow derby in the 79th minute, as Celtic’s attack failed to produce at Ibrox, before their penalty shootout heroics.
To nobody’s surprise, Mvuka didn’t provide anything going forward, but he was a rather worrying problem from a defensive aspect, as Celtic fought Rangers away from their goal.
YOUR IMMEDIATE REACTION TO THAT SHOOTOUT WIN!
Joel Mvuka’s worrying display for Celtic against Rangers in the Scottish Cup
Mvuka has been frozen out in recent weeks and only made the matchday squad against Aberdeen in midweek because of Dane Murray’s injury.
The January signing didn’t come onto the pitch at Pittodrie, and many expected him to remain seated at Ibrox before the call was made.
The issue here is that Celtic were defending for their lives, sitting very deep, and having trouble producing chances.
But every time Mvuka got the ball very deep, tried to clear it away, or defend the penalty box, he looked very flustered.
You can now see why O’Neill was so brutal to not even include him in recent matchday squads because he looked off it, and that’s why there were short but blunt comments made on his cameo by Alan Hutton and Lennon in the commentary box for Premier Sports.
Rory Hamilton: “Mvuka, another miscue from him.”
Alan Hutton: “He has looked really erratic, especially defensively.”
Neil Lennon: “I think really erratic is putting it lightly.”
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