The form of the Celtic team is concerning but what is also concerning is the incredible drop-off in the form of Matt O’Riley.
Last we told how Gordon Dalziel said he knew why the Danish international was struggling recently and now, it’s the turn of Jim Duffy.
The former Morton manager was speaking about Celtic’s recent form and he believes that Rodgers’ insistence of playing Adam Idah with Kyogo Furuhashi is having a detrimental effect on O’Riley’s goalscoring and creating ability over the past few weeks.
Duffy said [Superscoreboard], “I said earlier on that I think the system doesn’t always suit him.
“I think particularly O’Riley. I think he needs that three in here because it gives him a licence to go and support.
“Whereas if you’re playing that 4-2-3-1 he is restricted a bit and I don’t think that‘s his natural game.
“So I don’t think the system’s been ideal for O’Riley.”
Now here is the kicker. If both Gordon Dalziel and Jim Duffy can see that, why can’t Rodgers? In fact, even the Celtic fans can see that O’Riley is not the player he was at the start of the season.
And the worrying part of that is that with O’Riley off form, Celtic now have lost a player who can easily unlock defences with his vision and passing range and one of our best goal threats.
Now that we are two points behind Rangers with twelve games to go, Rodgers needs O’Riley’s goals and assists to help turn around a season that looks like it could end in turmoil and without silverware.
I hope that the Celtic manager can find a solution to this because, without O’Riley in form, Brendan Rodgers can kiss goodbye to the league title and the Scottish Cup this season.
In other news, ‘Top guy’… Chris Sutton reacts instantly to Celtic stopper Joe Hart’s decision to retire
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