Last season was terrible but somehow we only lost 5 times, this season has been much better but we have already lost 3 times, the facts are that whilst we can make excuses for our 3 losses, Hearts was before we had done our transfer business, theRangers away is a tricky game and we played well losing a goal on a set piece and that we haven’t won at Livingston since they were promoted all hold water, but the Celtic support is already starting to question the gaffer, openly.
The facts are that excuses do not wash in Glasgow, regardless of the hand Ange has been dealt he must start winning with it, the defence remains dubious, we have brought in a real player in Josip Juranovic, a quality singing who rightfully has walked into the team, but question marks remain across the backline.
The same sort of signatures were needed at centre half, that we spent even more on Carl Starfelt for far less output is disappointing, the rumours that he was signed by the board are equally upsetting let alone these alleged leaks emanating from the dressing room to do with James McCarthy.
Liam Scales can play both left back and Centre Half, hopefully we will see him blooded in one or both position tomorrow night, there is no point bringing a lad to the club to play left back, getting an injury there to Taylor and going back and grabbing Bolingoli, it does nothing for his confidence.
That said I though Bolingoli acquitted himself well on Sunday, he was one of the better players and if he is fit should be an option.
Last season we brought Luca Connell and Lee O’Connor from Bolton and Man U and have seen nothing of them, Scales cannot become one of these players, he needs game time and we need reinforcements exactly where he plays.
Giakoumakis is widely tipped to play tomorrow, at least some role, we need him after selling Eddie, loaning Griff out to avoid the riddy of his behaviour and with only Albian Ajeti available as a striker.
I am picking Albian to start and Georgios to come in after the hour, but in truth I would much prefer to see it the other way around, the Greek has an eye for goal, it would be great to see him start and give Ajeti the most time to rest.
The facts are that we have brought in a lot of talent over the summer, now we must find the players that fit Ange’s formation, the wing back and centre halves and the front man being the majority of it, the defensive and creative midfield roles being the rest.
Soro must mind his temperament, we need Calmac back badly, Rogic seriously needs more support, every time he gets the ball he is not just double marked but triple, if this is to persist then so be it, take advantage of the holes Tam is making.
As soon as Rogic touches the ball on his left foot outside the box every player rushes him, the same time me and you are probably holding our breath for that wee second to see if he will curl one in, teams have done their homework, Tam getting rushed can be made a blessing, we need a plan B which was sadly missing on the weekend.
We have a shot tomorrow at a team we really should beat, a team that in a home tie gives Celtic the chance to go to the squad and test some of the new blood and see what we have on our books, if we book a date at Hampden it will go a long way to quietening the doubters.
Next come Dundee United on the weekend, a game that has traditionally been a battle, we will no doubt have to fight harder than we did against their rivals who we beat 6-0 at Paradise earlier in the season.
But these two games are absolutely crucial not just for Celtic’s season but Ange’s tenure, anything less than two wins and he will line up next Thursday against Leverkusen in a game we probably don’t expect much from being expected to win at all costs without his key signing in Kyogo.
The next 8 days will come to characterise ‘Angeball’, be it something that came and went or something we will believe in going forward, hopefully, for years to come.
Gavin Devine
Gavin is a new guest contributor on The Celtic Star, he has his own Celtic site over at IndyCelts.com – please check it out. You can also follow Gavin on Twitter…
“The facts are that excuses do not wash in Glasgow, regardless of the hand Ange has been dealt he must start winning with it, “.Really? The manager has be a miracle worker or else? Absolute nonsense. Then we have to beat Leverkusen or else ….again…..utter nonsense. The fans can jump up and down till they’re blue in the face,but, the board won’t just give them what they want ( JK and. GS as the management team ) until they think fit……….as we saw last season. Forget any more signings till next season as well if it does come to that.