We’re now two days removed from Celtic’s defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership and while the controversy rumbles on regarding incidents in the fixture, not much is being said about footballing matters.
For Neil Lennon’s team it was a dismal afternoon that has brought to the fore some glaring problems that need to be addressed before we can tackle the second half of the season.
The measure of an elite team is how they respond to adversity. Lennon and his staff must find solutions over the winter break or risk Celtic letting go of our grip on Scottish football.
A training camp in Dubai will give the team a chance to recharge batteries and perhaps work on new things in training. Meanwhile, the upcoming transfer window is the perfect chance to add some quality and depth to the squad.
What does the manager need to be getting on with as a priority?
Finding competent competition for Forrest
Entering the 2019/20 season, it was thought that James Forrest would have real competition in the right-wing slot after the signing of Marian Shved.
The young Ukrainian had a storming season in his homeland last term, scoring 15 goals (Transfermarkt), and there was much excitement about what he might offer in Lennon’s team.
Unfortunately, he’s been almost entirely missing so far, playing just 35 minutes of football for Celtic.
Lennon is likely to have entirely good reasons for that, whether the player’s fitness is not up to par or that he simply hasn’t settled.
However, we now need a competent alternative option for Forrest so we can rest or rotate the Scotland international, who has looked noticeably beleaguered in recent weeks.
Whether that competition comes from the transfer market or more opportunities for Shved is a decision that must be made quickly.
It’s time to try something new at left-back
Right now, Boli Bolingoli is simply not looking like the player he did at points earlier in the season and despite having a competent and fit international left-back sitting on the bench, Lennon has barely used Greg Taylor.
The former Killie man has looked robust and comfortable in his five appearances so far but is apparently below both Bolingoli and Jonny Hayes in the left-back pecking order.
Against Rangers, Bolingoli looked well below the standard required, consistently giving the ball away and looking off the pace.
I’d really like to see the manager give Taylor a run in the team in January. He has more future potential than either of the other options and needs a consistent spell in the starting eleven to really show the coaching staff and supporters what he can do.
Finding a midfield shape that matches Rangers
After Sunday’s match, captain Scott Brown didn’t hide away from the defeat, admitting that they had been outplayed by our rivals in two successive matches.
Much of Rangers’ joy has come in the midfield areas, outnumbering Brown and Callum McGregor, throttling possession and stopping us capably distributed the ball to the flanks.
Lennon and his team now need to work on a new midfield shape for these derby fixtures. That could mean dropping Olivier Ntcham into a flat three or even bringing Nir Bitton into the middle of the park.
It’s clear though that the status quo is not working out. Perhaps this is something to work on in Dubai or something that will take longer to implement. By the time the next derby rolls around though, fans will be expecting Lennon to be tactically ready for the Ibrox side.
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