In recent weeks Celtic’s attacking players have certainly returned to form. Reverting to a 4-2-3-1 formation has allowed Tom Rogic to inspire the Hoops with his creativity in the number 10 role, whilst Moi Elyiunoussi has thrived on the left-hand side.

On the right Scotland’s new national hero Ryan Christie has managed to negate the considerable loss of James Forrest to a certain extent, while Neil Lennon’s recent dropping to the bench of Odsonne Edouard has allowed Albian Ajeti’s determination and work rate to complement the supporting cast. It now looks a balanced and capable front line.

Neil Lennon however will be aware that the backline has been porous of late, particularly in defending set pieces and allowing cross balls into the area far too easily from the full back positions. You’d hope then that the international break has allowed the Celtic manager to put some plans in place ahead of the team returning from their international exploits. 15 goals conceded in our last seven games should certainly ensure it’s an area that is being addressed.

That said, the news the Norwegian Government has stopped the Norway national team travelling to Romania, due to a positive Covid 19 test in the camp, may cause a few difficulties in choosing next Saturday’s line up for the game against Hibs at Easter Road. It seems uncertain as to whether Moi Elyounoussi or Kris Ajer will now be able to play after traveling back to Glasgow last night or if they will be expected to complete their quarantine back home, possibly for 10 days. There are times this season where you’d ask if it wasn’t for bad luck if Lennon would have any luck at all.

And talking of luck, there was perhaps some welcome news that the Devante Cole assault on Jeremie Frimpong at Fir Park last time out, resulted in little more than a dead leg rather than the serious injury the force of the ‘tackle’ could have resulted in. I note there remains a vow of silence in place from Clare Whyte and the compliance team at the SFA on that one.

Frimpong has been a superb attacking outlet for Celtic this season, yet defensively he still has his faults. All good and well in a young player still finding his feet in the game. However, the concession of space and the subsequent delivery from wide afforded to opposition players, down Celtic’s right flank in particular, has to be a cause for concern. While Scott Brown’s regular on field coaching and cajoling of the youngster takes away his own focus too.

There will be opposition where it’s not so important of course, where full backs can almost act as out and out wingers, when Celtic face teams with little ambition beyond keeping the score down, but with Celtic coughing up chances, it may be that the back to full fitness Hatem Abd Elhamed (who was sent off yesterday for Israel in their 1-0 home defeat to the Czech Republic so will miss the game against Scotland this week) could instil some defensive discipline into the Celtic right back position in upcoming games.

Elhamed has played predominately in central defensive positions this season but for me his strength is at right back. His height defending set pieces and his defensive nous in closing attacking wide players alongside that natural defensive instincts of playing tighter to a central defensive partner, could be a way of limiting attacking deliveries into the Celtic box from that side. Although nowhere near as mobile as Frimpong in an attacking sense, Elhamed is perfectly capable of getting forward. He has a long striding run and is technically underrated in attacking positions, he can also deliver a final ball, as we saw with Moi Elyounoussi’s headed goal against Motherwell, and despite his excellent movement that is something that once again Frimpong lacks.

On the left side Diego Laxalt is a good defender but his strengths are going forward. When Frimpong is in the side we often have both full backs joining the forwards in attack. Clearly this leaves us open to the counter when we are out of possession.

With no Celtic midfielder an out and out holding type, that means there is little scope to have a central midfielder drop into the backline to at least create a back three when we are being countered upon. Having Elhamed, much like Mikael Lustig did in his time, tucking in when the left sided defender goes forward, could mean such a tactical change in personnel may see Celtic less exposed when the opposition advance on our defensive lines.

If ever there was a time to try the change it should be now. Celtic are coughing up chances and much of the concessions is down to repeated positional errors and space afforded to opposition attackers. There are clear comparisons to be made.

It should also be fresh in the mind of everyone at Celtic that Kieran Tierney took a fair bit of punishment from the opposition in Scotland, and Frimpong must be up there as one of the most fouled Celtic players.

Yet Tierney wasn’t only physically challenged by the opposition in the Scottish Premiership, he was also overused and left unprotected by Celtic. For a young man, much like Frimpong, he had limited cover for his position and Celtic had to return to the well far too often. By the end Tierney’s body had been run into the ground. That hideous Devante Cole challenge should be all the warning Celtic need to try and get young Frimpong time to rest on occasion.

Elhamed’s return gives us the opportunity to do just that. It also offers us a chance to see if his inclusion in the team can also negate some of the defensive deficiencies we’ve had of late.

Niall J

BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY…Video – Enjoy Celtic’s dramatic stoppage time winner against theRangers