Celtic supporters are set to watch their team play under a new formation when Wilfried Nancy enters the building.
The Columbus Crew coach, who is yet to be officially unveiled by Celtic, prefers to utilise a 3-4-3 formation.
That’s a different world from what the champions of Scotland have been used to in recent times.
Celtic’s centre-back issues are there for all to see, and if Nancy comes in and decides to play his formation straight away, then three centre-backs are needed, and that’s where Anthony Ralston enters the picture.
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Celtic’s centre-back options under Wilfried Nancy
Anthony Ralston in a back three for Celtic under Wilfried Nancy
Ralston has always been a steady player for Celtic, but never good enough to be a regular starter at right-back, with the currently injured Alistair Johnston the main guy, and now Colby Donovan through in fine style.
In the long run, those two could be regular players as right wing-backs for Nancy, but not Ralston, because he doesn’t have the attacking capabilities to deploy that role.
The Scotland international is someone who understands his strengths and weaknesses. He is very safe in his play, especially when you want him to be proactive when pushing forward and trying to win the ball back high up the pitch.
But putting Ralston as a right-sided centre-back of a back three might just be the role for him, because it would allow him to concentrate on his defensive game, without having to go forward and with protection around him.
Plus, with Celtic lacking depth at the heart of defence, it’s not like Nancy has lots of options to choose from right now.
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Celtic’s available centre-back options
Cameron Carter-Vickers is injured for the season, loan signing Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has hardly been used, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is sent back to Manchester City in January.
Then you have two left-footed centre-backs – Auston Trusty and Liam Scales – which causes issues with the balance.
Yes, the January transfer window, as well as the summer, will need to be used for some fresh centre-backs, but using Ralston wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Either way, here are the centre-back options available to Nancy right now:
- Liam Scales
- Auston Trusty
- Jahmai Simpson-Pusey
- Dane Murray
- Hayato Inamura
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