Pundit Michael Stewart has delivered his verdict on the Celtic performance away vs Jablonec on Thursday night.
Ange Postecoglou’s side picked up a 4-2 win in Europa League qualifying, taking a big step towards the next round and AZ Alkmaar.
Stewart, like other pundits such as John Hartson and indeed Celtic fans, couldn’t ignore some of the deficiencies in the defensive side of the game despite the positive result.
He reckons the Bhoys still need to make more key signings.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland [06/08, 19:10], he said: “You can see that [the defence] is a major issue for Celtic. They’re trying to rectify it by bringing in Starfelt and Hart, but it’s going to take a little bit of time. They need more recruits as well. The quality isn’t at the level they’re looking for, not great goals to concede at all.
“It’s something Ange Postecoglou is going to be concerned about. All he can do at the moment is muddle his way through and buy himself some time with results, to allow him to implement what he’s trying to do.
“Obviously the result last night was positive, but poor results will just heap the pressure on and make it more difficult for him to implement what he’s trying to do and get people in the door too.”
I don’t think anyone will disagree with that assessment. Personally, I was equally buoyed and disheartened by different elements of last night’s performance.
There was the majesty and composure on display with the Kyogo Furuhashi goal and the dismal same old story for Jablonec’s first.
Ultimately though we have to take it as a positive step on the road to where we need to be under Postecoglou.
As Stewart states, get a few more players in the door, pick up a few more successive wins and see where we go from there.
In other news, James McCarthy could make Celtic debut on Sunday; assessed at Lennoxtown tomorrow.
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