Celtic struggled against Kairat Almaty at Parkhead on Wednesday night.
The Hoops lacked speed and precision in their final third passing to unlock a resolute Kairat defence and it leaves the tie firmly in the balance.
The goalless Champions League play-off first leg set alarm bells ringing inside Celtic Park as fans cried ‘sack the board’ in unison.
Supporters blamed the stalemate on the Celtic hierarchy for their failure to sign enough quality players in time for this lucrative two-legged showdown.
However, Celtic do have a very strong left-hand side that has already proved a handful this season.
Nevin on Kieran Tierney and Daizen Maeda
Kieran Tierney and Daizen Maeda are in the midst of developing their relationship on the park up and down Celtic’s left wing.
On paper, it’s an incredible duo to have on one side of the pitch, but pundit Pat Nevin thinks the pair need to build a partnership that is strong enough for Champions League level.
Speaking on the BBC’s Champions League highlights show, he said: “I think this is the most dangerous part of Celtic’s team at the moment. I watched them against St Mirren and there were crosses coming in all the time from the left-hand side – great understanding.”
However, Nevin then provided a piece of analysis accompanied with a number of clips from the Kairat draw that proved Maeda and Tierney’s relationship at a higher level needs to improve.
The pundit continued: “I think Brendan Rodgers will be really disappointed with that because he knows that Daizen Maeda is a very, very special player – we all know he’s a special player.
“But Kieran and him have to build an understanding and a partnership that can work at that (Champions League) level.”
Adam Idah is another who needs to improve
It was clear Rodgers was frustrated with a number of his players last night, but perhaps none more so than Adam Idah.
That’s because Rodgers hooked Idah at half-time for Yang Hyun-jun, which saw Maeda play as a central striker briefly before Shin Yamada came on.
Rodgers said: “It didn’t quite go for him first half. I wanted a bit more activity in and around the box.
“Adam is a good, honest boy. He’s not started how he’d like, and in games like this here I can’t afford to wait.”
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