A disjointed performance from a depleted Celtic squad lacking in confidence

For the first 20 minutes yesterday Celtic looked sharp. An energetic press allied to crisp passing and utilising of clever diagonal balls to the wide men, who in turn had the immediate intent to get the ball in the direction of the penalty spot, looking for midfield runners and strikers to attack a shaky looking backline.

However, it soon became clear that Celtic were not wearing their stylish black away strip and that it was actually LIVINGSTON who were pegging CELTIC back at home. With hindsight perhaps it was odd to see the West Lothian outfit in Green and White Hoops.

Sadly, the reversing of the colours would have been appropriate. After all this was not a Celtic team. Not only due to the lack of numbers but also the bizarre positioning of those available. Livingston however were sharp.

Photo: Andrew Milligan

Man of the Match – or near as damnit – from the Hibs game Stephen Welsh, dropped to the bench. Whilst contract rebel Cameron Harper followed suit. This despite Celtic moving to a formation that would have allowed the want away to play his natural position for at least once in his short Celtic career, or indeed Dembele in his natural environment too.

Instead in came Frimpong in and advanced position to have his defensive position replaced by Anthony Ralston for his first starting appearance since August…..2019…..

Photo: Andrew Milligan

That said Ralston had a good game, one of the few who did. Indeed, a look at his stats whilst on loan at St Johnstone makes for interesting reading. In comparison to young Frimpong last season – a season in which Frimpong was somewhat lauded to say the least while Ralston learned about arable farming in Perth is eye opening.

In terms of crossing accuracy last season Ralston made 87 crosses with 30% accuracy. Frimpong attempted 60 crosses with 23% accuracy. Ralston completed 70% successful dribbles to Frimpong’s 60 % and Ralston won 62% offensive duels compared to 49 % offensive duels won for Jeremie Frimpong.

Is Anthony Ralston a better player than Jeremie Frimpong? Your eyes will tell you not. The stats however would say he is at least a better defender and possibly more effective going forward, even with a team in St Johnstone who spent much of last season far from tearing up trees. Food for thought if you’re an analytical coach.

(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

The decision to play Tom Rogic as a ‘false nine’ also backfired. A player renowned for his technical ability, though not so much mobility or intent to press from the front, seemed a strange decision. With Jonathan Afolabi remaining on loan at Dundee and Armstrong Okoflex on the bench, it seemed to the untrained eye that Cameron Harper’s complaints around the Young Un’s lack of a footballing pathway may not exactly be exclusive to the young American.

In the end this was a disjointed performance from a depleted Celtic squad lacking in confidence. Shane Duffy could not build on a decent performance against Hibs and the returning Nir Bitton seemed, rather than be dissuaded by grabbing opponents around the midriff after his Ibrox endeavours, instead it was now his preferred tactical approach.

Photo: Andrew Milligan

Celtic looked at times like they were playing one of those ever-decreasing in quality teams that have knocked us out of European competition over the years, just not as good. A damning indictment then of the seeping of managed decline into Celtic’s domestic performances as we have all warned was inevitable.

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Was this due to a lack of numbers? – Possibly. Or is it evidence of a slow burning regression from dropping European standards, through Glasgow Derby encounters and now highlighted against a team of functional professionals at best, one that would struggle past Accrington Stanley over two legs?

Celtic lacked for options yesterday and I have some sympathy for the players. The tactical and formational decisions today simply made for pre-match head scratching amongst the support and manifested in a just as confused first eleven.

Photo: Andrew Milligan

Gavin Strachan took the team today but you couldn’t blame him for the confusion that ensued. He probably thought we were playing in black too. The man in his ear however picked the team, chose the formation and preferred no striker to one sitting on the bench. Colour blind he is not. His vision however is certainly questionable.

Niall J

About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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