SPFL captain reveals the weakness his side saw in Celtic… and Hoops departure who was a ‘problem’

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Celtic tend to face a very specific style of play when in domestic action.

A significant gap in budget and player quality tends to force opposing managers into setting up to defend, honing in on discipline.

Particularly at Celtic Park, Brendan Rodgers’ side are allowed to have the ball, and don’t face much in the way of attacking overloads.

But sometimes, teams come and have a go. Celtic players and managers typically praise opposition sides who come and try to play football – perhaps in a sly attempt to encourage more teams to give them space to attack.

But one SPFL captain has revealed the different approach his side took when playing at Celtic Park, which led to an entertaining game.

We played with freedom at Celtic Park says Falkirk captain

Falkirk have earned an enormous amount of credit for their style and approach under John McGlynn – and given the results it has managed, understandably so.

READ MORE: Celtic told Daizen Maeda owes them nothing as transfer refusal questioned

On the numerous occasions when they faced the Hoops prior to promotion, they stuck to their guns – and captain Coll Donaldson has revealed their focus on Celtic’s weaknesses ahead of a cup match last season.

Speaking on Open Goal, he said: “We played with a freedom. I remember being asked in the press in the build-up to that game, if we would implement our style against Celtic. I’ve played at Celtic Park before under different managers, where it’s about damage limitation.

“And in the full week the gaffer focused on their weaknesses and what we were going to do on the ball. It was good, but talking about it in the press, I said ‘there’s no point talking about it.’.

“Going there we ended up getting a doing, 5-2. Kuhn came on and he was a problem. But after the game, I was like, ‘we’ve got a right chance.'”

Problem is an understatement – Kuhn scored two goals and got two assists off the bench for Celtic that day.

How much will Celtic miss Nicolas Kuhn?

Nicolas Kuhn’s summer departure to Como was seen as good business for Celtic.

The German was a revelation in the Champions League, scoring against both RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich from his homeland.

After racking up 21 goals across the season in all competitions, his move to Italy came as no surprise – but the lack of a replacement has.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Sebastian Tounekti have a lot to live up to, coming into Rodgers’ squad as wide reinforcements.