Anthony Ralston has confirmed that Celtic will analyse the goals they’re conceding but that it shouldn’t take the shine off of the morale and performance levels at Parkhead.
Over the last week, Celtic have needlessly allowed the opposition back into the game from positions of strength. Against Ferencvaros last week, we allowed them to equalise minutes after our opener before giving away another cheap goal at the death after we had stormed into a 3-1 lead.
Yesterday at Dens Park there were similar frustrations. Dundee managed to peg us back at 2-0 with a basic cross into the penalty area. They would also score a second due to a poor error from Joe Hart.
Celtic ultimately got the job done on both occasions. However, there’s no denying it’s becoming a running issue. Ralston, however, isn’t keen for it to overshadow the general performance levels being put in.
As quoted by the Daily Record, the right-back said: “We’re aware of that and we’ve conceded two goals which we don’t want to be doing. As a team and as a defensive unit we’ll analyse that and we’ll get that right.
“But it’s also important to focus on the positives, which there are a lot just now. And we’re all happy. Things are coming together well. We just need to keep going, get together after the international break, and keep this run going when we come back.”
Anthony Ralston highlights key Celtic issue that needs addressed
We all know Celtic will give up goals. It’s the nature of how Ange Postecoglou wants his team to play. When you play with such a gung-ho mentality, there are going to be more gaps opening up at the back.
And it’s also worth pointing out that Celtic still have the strongest defence in the Premiership, statistically speaking at least. The 9 goals we’ve conceded in our opening 13 matches is 3 less than second-best Hearts. Celtic are still doing something right.
But we can’t keep allowing teams back into games and thinking we’ll continuously get away with it. Against Ferencvaros, for example, we gave ourselves 10 minutes or so of unnecessary pressure in front of a hostile crowd. Granted, we managed to cope in the end, but it’s a situation we didn’t need.
Even in the 3-1 win at Easter Road, we gave them a gift of a goal at 3-0 that injected some belief into Jack Ross’ side. Joe Hart had to make 2 big saves to stop a real scrap being made of it.
You can accept when things go a touch awry due to systematic issues. When you’re caught over-committing and simply get done via the space you left behind. That you can understand. But basic sloppiness shouldn’t suddenly be passable.
Hopefully, it’s something we can rectify when we return from the international break.
In other news, Video: Celtic supporters go wild for class Kyogo celebration; taunts Dundee defenders
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