What was painstakingly obvious about last night’s performance was the dire lack of options at left-back. No harm to Greg Taylor but he’s not convinced, even in his most recent purple patch against the new Ibrox side at Parkhead. I’m all for giving players time and chances, but what is abundantly clear is that Celtic will not process in Europe whilst Greg Taylor is our number one option at left full-back.
Now people can whinge and moan and groan all they like about the “anti-Tayor” groups amongst the fanbase. The simple fact is that Taylor – with the best wishes in the world – cannot cut it at the top level of the game playing Angeball. The way Ola Solbakken went by him last night was frightening. He looked bewildered by the pace and strength of the Bodo/Glimt striker. A rabbit caught in the headlights is the old clichè. More like a dead rabbit that’s become road kill for vultures. It was just was not good enough.
This isn’t through a lack of effort. Greg Taylor always puts in a shift. But it is reminiscent of Stephen O’Donnell for Scotland; a player of limited ability that reaches his ceiling and often is found out against good opposition. That’s all there is to it. Nobody is setting out to dent a players confidence or be deliberately mean. Sometimes you just need to be ruthless if you want to work at the upper echelons of the game. Look at Guardiola at City and the way he just got rid of Otamendi. Weak link. Cut it. Klopp at Liverpool with Karius – basically cost them a European trophy. Cut. Even Rodgers at us. Looked at Commons and decided he wouldn’t fit his style. Cut. And he has been our star man beforehand.
Ange may very well like Taylor as a player and a person, and that’s why he’s percivered with the Scotland international. However, surely to goodness the manager can see the proof is in the pudding from last night? He must be looking at an upgrade come the summer. He must. If we win this League and gain entry to the Champions League I really dread to think what would happen with Taylor left in situ. That would give grown men nightmares.
There’s no hiding the deficiencies in this team and where they come from anymore. On the left we have Jota ahead of the fullback. He is not the most defensive-minded of wingers, is he? We need someone who is strong defensively behind him but can equally support the attack when needed. And they don’t come cheap, nor do they grow on trees. So it’s time for a bit of honesty in regards to the left side position of the current Celtic defence. We need more. We need quality. And we need it now.
If it goes unaddressed I fear we may be in for more nights like the one just past.
Paul Gillespie
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Maybe we should get a whole team ,because nobody was anywhere near their opposite numbers last night,including Jota.
Paul,
Maybe your being over kind. Yes he is a Celtic player, and the following is no way personal.
He has not been up to it for a number of months. His position is left back with his prime job being defense. which is almost non existent. ie working back to pick up opposition players preventing them from either assisting goals or scoring, how often do you se him sauntering back from half way with other Celtic players by passing him to support the defense, tackling non existent, wining balls in the air, eg v Aberdeen allowing Ferguson two free headers one a goal, second saved by Hart, there are many other examples.
You know he doesn’t pick himself in the team.
We do have options who have performed much better and will improve given time on the park.
Oh! I am a Celtic person and really hope the manager thinks about our defense. We have some very good players when played. Paul have you thought of two strikers on together?