Celtic overcame an important defensive feat by keeping their first clean sheet in eight games during Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Motherwell, ahead of a huge end to the month of October.
It has been a bit of a strange start to the season for Celtic.
Whilst the Bhoys have been on brilliant form domestically, winning all but one game, we have also suffered some disappointment in the UEFA Champions League.
Ange Postecoglou’s side can’t really be faulted for their performances so far this season, barring the disappointment that came from our 2-0 loss to St Mirren.
We are yet to pick up three points on the European front, but the Hoops displays has mostly been positive, with our main fault being a lack of clinical edge in the final third.
Following on from such a successful campaign last season, a huge part of that was built from the back, putting in strong defensive displays.
The trio of Joe Hart, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt were all key cogs in the Hoops’ solid defensive performances. However, this season, Ange Postecoglou’s back four has been more disrupted.
Carter-Vickers and Starfelt have both faced injury issues, whilst backup options Stephen Welsh and Mortiz Jenz have also had their own fair share of spells on the sideline.
It almost feels like the centre-back pairing hasn’t been able to get into a rhythm, and that has led to Celtic conceding in each of their eight matches in the Scottish Premiership and Champions League.
Motherwell clean sheet allows Celtic defence to buildup momentum once again ahead of huge week.
In fact, our last clean sheet came in Carl Starfelt’s last start for Celtic before sustaining a knee injury in a 4-0 win over Rangers in early September.
On Wednesday evening, though, the Bhoys finally overcame that feat, with Ben Siegrist, Carter-Vickers and Jenz playing their part in the 4-0 win over Motherwell.
And I am sure it will be a feat those involved are glad to have achieved once again as they look to build up that momentum and rhythm at the back once again.
In my opinion, the much-needed clean sheet comes at an important time too, as we prepare for a potentially huge week of fixtures.
This weekend, Postecoglou and his players travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts. And although the Edinburgh side may be struggling a little, their stadium is always a tricky venue to play at.
Next midweek, Celtic will also be playing their final home match in this season’s Champions League group stage versus Shakhtar Donetsk as we look to get off the mark with a win.
The squad will be keen to show their credentials, following on from their display in Poland which deserved more than a point against the Ukrainian side.
And finally, to round off the month, the Hoops travel to take on Livingston, which, again, has proved to be a very difficult venue in the past.
If we want to achieve success in all three games, the backline will be crucial. So, hopefully, by getting our first clean sheet in eight games last night, we can build upon that and continue that solid foundation.
In other news, Seamless Celtic transition showcases the beauty of Ange Postecoglou rotation.
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