Sebastian Tounekti has proven to be a valuable impact player for Celtic of late.
But during Celtic’s defeat to Hibernian on Sunday, Pat Bonner was left frustrated with the winger’s defensive contribution.
Perhaps it isn’t the player’s fault because it’s what Martin O’Neill is asking him to do, but it was Tounekti who was tasting the fresh air, as Hibs right-back Felix Passlac came storming past him at the far post to head home the opener.
Bonner tried to explain that a player of Tounekti’s make-up will never win those types of defensive duels, never mind the fact that he shouldn’t be in that position.
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Pat Bonner questions Sebastian Tounekti’s defensive role for Celtic
Another issue Bonner had with how Celtic conceded the opening goal is the fact that he has seen this negative pattern before.
On Thursday night, Celtic were outclassed by VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League, and Bonner stated on BBC Radio Scotland (22/02/26) that, ‘it happened during the week, also.’
As much as Tounekti is showcasing improvement going forward, he just ‘isn’t that type of player that can match-up anybody at the back post’, according to Celtic’s legendary keeper.
“I want to go back to the goal, and if you look at Celtic’s defending,” said Bonner. “I don’t know how they defend at the back post.
“But it’s Tounekti that is actually picking up Passlack. I am not sure if Kieran Tierney was dragged in to close again or whether he was picking somebody else up. Or is he picking up Elding? I am not sure. I would like to see it again.
“But that was the match-up at the back post, I am sorry, Tounekti isn’t that type of player that can match-up anybody at the back post. It happened during the week, also.”
Comparison of goals Celtic conceded last season to this campaign
Celtic have been conceding goals for fun this season, and whilst there has been a lot of limelight on the inability to put the ball into the back of the net up top, there is perhaps a bigger issue at the back.
Yes, Cameron Carter-Vickers’ injury has proven to be problematic because Auston Trusty and Liam Scales haven’t been able to take the bull by the horns.
Added to that, the powers that be in the Parkhead boardroom haven’t brought in quality centre-backs to fix the issues, instead signing youngster Benjamin Arthur on loan from Brentford, just as they let Stephen Welsh return to Motherwell in January.
There is still so much of the season to go, yet Celtic have already conceded more in this campaign than they did in the previous term, and remember, they played Champions League football.
- Games last season: 54
- Goals conceded: 46
- Games this season: 44
- Goals conceded: 53 (up until Feb 23)
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