The next fixture for Celtic is Hibernian at Parkhead a week tonight and it’s a colossal one.
There can be no room for error any more, and we mean none. Celtic genuinely have to win 19 straight Premiership games and think in their minds that will surely be enough. If they do that and Rangers drop five points elsewhere, that’s all we need.
Straightforward, right?
In all seriousness, this game against Hibs is so crucial. It’s our first test after Dubai and Neil Lennon will need to choose the right centre-back line. All of a sudden he has a major call to make.
Christopher Jullien is sidelined for months whilst Nir Bitton is now suspended. The big Israeli was sent off in the Glasgow derby on Saturday for hauling down Alfredo Morelos. That means, according to the SFA suspension rules, Nir will only miss the next match against Hibs.
For many it will be a simple swtich. Shane Duffy should come in to partner Kris Ajer. Given Hatem Elhamed is barely used at centre-back anymore, the on-loan Brighton man looks the sure-fire bet. But in truth, I would give Stephen Welsh his long overdue shot at the heart of the defence again.
Welsh hasn’t let Celtic down when called upon
Welsh was given what looked to be a bizarre first appearance of the season vs Rangers at Parkhead. He performed admirably and showed tremendous leadership off the pitch post-match (Daily Record).
He was then given 45 minutes against AC Milan where he was dealt a bit of a punishing lesson. But make no mistake, he’s been no worse than Duffy. Once again the big Irishman came on against Rangers on Saturday and nearly gave away a second goal with a shocking pass out from the back.
I’ve been all for giving Duffy chance after chance, but it’s time to move on. Welsh is the future of our backline and has been showing real promise when he’s featured.
Hibs at Parkhead is a terrific learning opportunity for him. To come up against the likes of Kevin Nisbet and Christian Doidge will be a brilliant challenge for him. You can understand those who maybe feel that it’s a touch too tough a challenge for him, but it won’t be. He’s proven he can cope with Alfredo Morelos and keep him quiet. He can do the same against Hibs’ frontmen.
Can’t dismiss our Lennoxtown projects
When chances like this come up for young Lennoxtown starlets such as Welsh, they have to be given them. There’s no point continuing to shield him from first-team action. Not when he’s proven against Hamilton and Rangers that he can compete at this level.
Alongside Kris Ajer, Welsh should slot in extremely comfortably at Parkhead next Monday. It’s important we don’t disregard the academy for flop signings. Welsh has more of a future here than Duffy – it’s time to give him his overdue chance. He’s been out the starting XI for nearly three months now (Transfermarkt) – it’s time for a reprieve.
In other news, Celtic threw rival Premiership teams a bone, now we need them to follow suit.
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