Diego Laxalt was once a popular figure amongst the Celtic support when he first came to the club.
A series of impressive displays to start off his tenure in Scotland, Laxalt became our first-choice left-back outright. Even UEFA were recognising his displays in the Europa League too.
But fast forward five months or so and here we are. Laxalt was surprisingly picked ahead of Greg Taylor, who had started the previous match against Livingston. Even so, not many would’ve batted an eyelid at the on-loan AC Milan man getting picked.
After all, he terrorised Rangers’ Leon Balogun in the Parkhead derby back in March. In addition to that, he impressed on his last trip to Ibrox too back in January. his aggression, directness, and reading of the game looked like it was going to be an important cog for us yesterday.
However, he would go on to have a 45 minutes from hell. Both of Rangers’ goals came from Laxalt’s side, with the player himself directly at fault for the second as he was too easily skinned by Rangers’ Joe Aribo.
In addition to that, the Uruguayan failed to overlap down the left and give us any threat on that flank whatsoever. He instead decided to consistently check inside or pass back the way. Having full-backs not overlapping in a diamond formation was always going to see us crowded out in the final third.
Laxalt would be hooked for Greg Taylor, who would go on to produce a steady if unspectacular performance as we lost 2-0. And with that, you can now likely wave goodbye to the AC Milan wing-back.
Diego Laxalt has had his chances at Celtic; Greg Taylor should see out the season
Celtic now have four games remaining with absolutely nothing to play for. Our only goal, then, should be focusing on finding the right balance between our best team and a team that will be here next season. That will likely see interim boss John Kennedy make some big changes for the final few matches.
Don’t expect the likes of Odsonne Edouard or Mohamed Elyounoussi to be dropped even if they’re likely off in the summer. Same with Kris Ajer. Kennedy will want to keep some of his best players in the team to try and ensure some positive results. Laxalt, however, is unfortunately dispensable.
We have games at Pittodrie, Ibrox, and Easter Road coming up before the season ends. There’s now no reason for Laxalt to be given any of them considering Taylor hasn’t proven himself to be a worse full-back.
Left-back another essential area needing strengthened
In truth, Celtic need to strengthen in that position over the course of the summer. It’s an area that’s needed tweaked for a long-time, and the Laxalt signing hasn’t managed to sort it out.
Taylor’s substitution yesterday was a sign from Kennedy. A sign that this is the new direction he’ll be taking for the final few weeks of the season.
Granted, you can never tell what will happen with injuries and all the rest of it. Taylor could easily get a red card or pick up a knock and Laxalt would then HAVE to come back in. Or Kennedy may even feel that Greg needs a rest after 80 minutes one week and Laxalt pops on again. But, in my view, if everything goes to plan then Laxalt won’t be seen again.
In eight of his last nine starts, Taylor has played for the full 90 minutes [Transfermarkt]. Given Kennedy’s substitution yesterday being down to how poor Laxalt was, don’t expect him to play another minute for Celtic if it can be avoided. There’s very little reason for the interim boss to do so.
In other news, the calls for this Celtic bench-warmer to return to the starting line-up have started up again.
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