Sections of the Celtic support have made their minds up on Oliver Burke

Add as preferred source on Google

Oliver Burke’s miss against Livingston yesterday was, quite simply, woeful.

The pacey winger came on in the closing stages of yesterday’s 0-0 home draw. The result meant that Celtic stretched their lead to 14 points clear over Rangers. Despite that, there was frustration around Parkhead over not finishing Livi off.

Burke was in the unfortunate position of being on the bench to start off. But, after coming on, he rounded Liam Kelly from close-range only to somehow poke wide from yards out. It came just seconds before the full-time whistle too.

That followed on from another bad miss and poor performance at St Mirren. And sections of the Celtic support appear to have their minds made up on him. Here’s a look at the reaction to his display on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Colin88Watt/status/1114558683072086016

https://twitter.com/joey_naughton/status/1114616413996630016

https://twitter.com/MuiryCeltic/status/1114559751214465025

https://twitter.com/PadrepedroII/status/1114557156714536960

Important not to write him off

We were all absolutely stunned to see Burke slot that one wide from two or three yards yesterday. it was even more infuriating that it came in the last minute also, and when it looked like we were going to sneak another win after all.

But it’s important that we don’t write him off too early. You can see the confidence draining from the West Brom-owned star. He hasn’t scored in nearly two months, and has just come off of a morale-damaging trip with Scotland.

He also clearly, at this point, doesn’t have the attributes to play up top. It requires a greater level of technique and ball-control than Burke actually possesses.

One of his best attributes is his ability to drive beyond full-backs. In order for Celtic to get the best out of his electric pace, he has to be used down either flank, but preferably the right. There’s no reason as to why James Forrest can’t be rested every now and again.

At the moment, spending big money on Burke does look like a poor investment, however. He’s starting to lose the mojo he had when he first came to the club. But it’s important, at the very least, that fans stand by him.