Neil Lennon is under real pressure after Celtic’s dismal 4-1 Europa League loss to Sparta Prague. The defeat has put the Hoops all but out of Europe, and it is the first time that Celtic have lost three games in a row at home since 1990.
That just isn’t good enough for a team that is looking to win a 10th title in a row. Indeed, it is form more in line with a team that is midtable.
Neil Lennon will know himself that the results and performances haven’t been good enough. He has to find a solution to these problems fast.
Here are three changes that Neil Lennon must make to solve Celtic’s deepening problems:
Play two strikers
Celtic didn’t create many chances against Prague, but the team’s best spell came when Leigh Griffiths played up-front with Odsonne Edouard the Hoops looked dangerous, especially with Tom Rogic supplying the ammunition.
The Hoops still didn’t look exactly great playing three at the back, but playing two strikers instead of one did make the team look better going forward. It is vital that Celtic don’t lose any more points in the league, and the best chance of getting three points against Motherwell on Sunday is to play two strikers.
Griffiths and Edouard could make the difference in Celtic, as when the duo are on song, they are the best strike partnership in Scotland.
Freshen up the middle of the park
Celtic’s midfield just isn’t functioning at the moment. Scott Brown and Callum McGregor aren’t playing well as a partnership, and it just looks stale at the moment. However, it doesn’t need to be like that.
There is no doubt that Brown and McGregor have been two of Celtic’s best players in recent seasons, but there comes a time when all teams need to freshen up. That can happen in the middle of the park.
There is no need for Brown and McGregor to play every week. The likes of David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull could provide the energy that Celtic are looking for. Turnbull especially could add a new dimension to the team, and should be given a run as soon as possible.
Shane Duffy needs to be dropped
Poor old Shane Duffy. It just hasn’t worked out for him so far at Celtic. It is hard not to feel sorry for the player. He is obviously desperate to do well at the team he supports, but it just isn’t happening.
It would be best for all concerned if he was taken out of the firing line and dropped from the first-team for a while. Hatem Elhamed is back, he could take Duffy’s place, or even Stephen Welsh could be considered.
Duffy still has time to save his Celtic career. However, it isn’t doing anyone any favours keeping him in the side whilst he is struggling at the moment. A rest would do him good.
In other news, Neil Lennon isn’t best pleased with Celtic’s Mo Elyounoussi.
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