Celtic’s key players are being questioned left, right and centre.
Brendan Rodgers has plenty on his plate. Kasper Schmeichel’s howler against Braga has people questioning his number one.
Kieran Tierney’s form and fitness have also been doubted by some. The Hoops full-back was seen as their box office signing of the summer, but it hasn’t all turned out that way.
Daizen Maeda’s revelation that he wanted a summer transfer also put the spotlight on him, but his late winner against Motherwell was a timely reminder of his importance to the team.
Hoops captain Callum McGregor has also had his form questioned. But for one Celtic hero, there are bigger problems in the Hoops’ midfield.
Chris Sutton on Callum McGregor
McGregor has been accused of refusing to pass the ball forwards in his vital number six role in front of the two centre backs.
But for Chris Sutton, the main issues exist elsewhere.
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The Hoops’ midfield is a wider issue for Sutton, who spoke in his column in the Daily Record about another player who has been hiding.
He said: “As far as I am concerned, McGregor is struggling a wee bit because of what’s going on around him. He’s simply on a different level to any other player in the current Celtic team.
“It’s just I think there are players in the team currently who are hiding, and that kills the flow. I look at the likes of Reo Hatate. He’s been a shadow of the player we’ve seen at Celtic in recent years.
“Everyone goes through peaks and troughs and Hatate has always been one who could throw in the occasional poor game. But right now he just looks miles off it.
“We’re not seeing the runs into the box down the left channel, the moments of magic have been few and far between.”
Celtic’s midfield situation
January will mark four years since Hatate was brought to Celtic Park by Ange Postecoglou.
His form since then has been up and down – the highs have been sensational, but he has dropped too far off this at times.
Benjamin Nygren has also been hot and cold since making the move to Glasgow – he has struggled to find the right balance with the Hoops’ other midfielders.
Paulo Bernardo has barely played, but the Braga defeat possibly showed us why. Arne Engels has also struggled to show his best form.
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