IN the first part of our review of the season Kevin Graham looked at the Celtic goalkeepers.
Next up in part two of his review of the season and this time the focus is on the Celtic defence.
The Defence
Mikael Lustig
Mixed bag for the cult Swede. Seemed to be targeted by teams as the weakness in our back four but was always an ever present when deemed fit. An important member of the squad and can be solid rather than eye-catching now.
Best Moment: His two goals against Hibs in the League Cup Semi Final were good but it has to be stealing the Policeman’s hat in the 5-0 win against Rangers. The cemented his place in cult history.
Prediction: Every season we seem to be on the verge of replacing Lustig. With his participation in The World Cup and his age then smart money seems to be on us signing a right back who isn’t Cristian Gamboa. We have also seen Jack Hendry play (rather uncomfortably) at right back and we may see the Swede get more recovery time if a more trustworthy deputy is found.
Injured at the start of the season and didn’t make a return until September. The Belgian has his faults and can get caught on the ball but on his day he is commanding and assured as most international centre backs.
He has been Brendan’s go-to guy since he broke into the team last season against Albion Rovers and this was proved when he was rushed back for the game at Ibrox at the business end of the season. Not everyone’s favourite but stats and the management team see him as reliable.
Best Moment: He was peerless when he returned home to Brussels and also in the 5-0 victory against Rangers at Celtic Park. Said before the Scottish Cup Final that he fancied the physically battle with Motherwell and didn’t disappoint.
Prediction: Into the final year of his contract with rumours that he is willing to sign a new deal after the World Cup. At twenty seven he is coming into the best year of his career and it would be no surprise he wanted to move. If he stays – as seems very likely – then history points to him being one of the first names on the team-sheet.
Jozo Simunovic
In and out the team this season and discarded after his sending off at Ibrox only appearing twice in the run in. Like all our centre back his inconsistency is frustrating as on his day he is extremely dominate and impressive. He has all the attributes that we require but this season was a tail off from his form during the Invincible Treble.
Best Moment: For 90 minutes in Brussels him and Boyata gave us hope that we had a pairing that looked solid in Europe.
Prediction: He looked like he was leaving last summer with big money being muted. He’s always had that air that he could leave in any window and this one is no different. He has said that he is happy at the club but I reckon his future depends on what Boyata decides.
Kristoffer Ajer
He got a few games at the start of the season when injuries to Boyata and the now departed Sviatchenko saw him called in as Nir Bitton’s partner. He was criticised for our near collapse in Astana but unfairly.
Since he got into the side at the turn of 2018 Ajer has been magnificent. He is great on the ball, brings the ball out well and has a good timing in a tackle. Defensively he sometimes struggles to handle the more physical nature of the game but he is still learning his trade.
Best Moment: He hasn’t had an outstanding moment but the level he operates at has been so high that he has just been constantly impressive.
Prediction: He will be the mainstay of the team next season and will continue to be our best prospect since Van Dijk.
Kieran Tierney
Not much you can say about him. Played a phenomenal amount of minutes and rarely didn’t turn in a seven out of ten or above performance. He was the most fouled man in Europe it seemed as teams targeted him towards the end of the season. He never once reacted.
Best Moment: His goal against Kilmarnock and everytime he lives the dream by playing for Celtic.
Prediction: He will be linked with English Premier League teams on a weekly basis but his only ambition is being the captain of Celtic.
Jack Hendry
Signed from Dundee in January and has only had fleeting appearances. He has been at his most impressive when coming on as right back in games when we have been down to ten men. Looks uncomfortable at right back any time he has started and seems to struggle going forward in the role.
Best Moment: Coming on against Aberdeen and Rangers (and the look on his face when Morelos missed that sitter on the first Beautiful Sunday was priceless). Solid and did his job.
Prediction: Centre back area seems quite congested and with Lustig at the World Cup he may get an earlier season shot at right back. Developing in that role seems his most likely route to the first team.
Overall: It’s the area of the team that always could be improved upon and we seem to spend every summer wanting a good centre back. We have Marvin Compper who hasn’t featured and there is doubts whether he will last the summer. The word on the street in Lennoxtown is that he has failed to make a decent impression among his piers and Brendan is far from pleased at what he’s seen from the German.
Calvin Miller and Anthony Ralston are both young and their game time will be limited. Miller seems a competent replacement for Teirney without being spectacular. Is his best position wing-back? Probably not. Expect a loan deal to St Johnstone for the season to be just around the corner.
There remains the uncertainty regarding Boyata until the deal is signed and any decision whether to strengthen there may be left until after the World Cup and Champions League qualifying. We would be surprised if a new right back isn’t signed though.
Kevin Graham
