The return of Brendan Rodgers to Celtic Park is certainly intriguing and it throws up numerous questions and theories into how he will set-up his team and who he will retain or let leave the club. No doubt, as always is the case with any manager walking into a club, he will want to stamp his authority on the team.
Last time around Rodgers played with a 4-2-3-1 formation and one wonders if he will revert back to that tried and trusted set-up of his. However, he must have noticed and even admired the untold damage Ange Postecoglou’s 4-3-3 formation and the personnel within that for that matter have enacted on Scottish football for the last two years.
With Callum McGregor the mainstay in midfield playing as the no.6, he has been accompanied more often than not by Reo Hatate and either Aaron Mooy or Matt O’Riley. Now, one intriguing possibility that Rodgers returning to his old stomping ground throws up is whether or not he will still choose to deploy the incomparable McGregor in his current position or move him into a more attacking role like his first stint in charge of the Hoops.
McGregor was used to devastating effect when Rodgers was here last, and he really developed and evolved as a footballer under the former Swansea City and Liverpool man’s tutelage throughout those two or so years. Putting him wide-left a lot of the time at the beginning, he was such a handful for opposition defenders to deal with, likewise the midfielders he came up against.
It allowed him the ability to join in at the business end of the park and create for the strikers at that time. Whether it was Moussa Dembele, Leigh Griffiths or Odsonne Edouard, Callum’s deft touch and wonderful ability to see space and find a pass was crucial to our success during that wonderful period in our unbroken history.
The question is: will he dare do it again?
I have long been an advocate for Callum McGregor playing further up the field as he’s too good at shooting and finding that intricate pass to sit away back in the engine room. In my humble opinion, he shouldn’t be in the grafting section of the pitch and should be more able to build attacks than needing to keep his eye on the defensive side of the game. His technical ability is an absolute pleasure to watch and some of the goals he scored during Rodgers’ first spell were phenomenal. Passing the ball into the net at Ibrox and Hampden against them are two of the finest examples of his talent you will see.
Rodgers once said of Cal himself that it looks as if he’s playing with slippers on. I concur with that assessment to the death. Callum is one of the most talented midfielder’s Scotland has ever produced and he stands in company with the greatest ones anybody can mention. But I still cannot get away from the fact he is playing that far back. To my mind, it’s verging on being wasteful.
In tandem with this situation is the stark omission of any real power or physicality in midfield and it has showed greatly in the UEFA Champions League group stages and European competition more generally speaking. Not since the days of Victor Wanyama have we had a proper tank in the middle of the park who can put it about and run all day long. That must be addressed by Rodgers if he truly does want to make a mark in Europe. It also showed in some games against theRangers too, as John ‘hammerhead’ Lundstram was all too happy to kick lumps out of our players. That must stop too.
So, the return of Brendan Rodgers does illicit feelings of deep interest and excitement for me as it could just set Callum McGregor free once again. And that, Bhoys and Ghirls, should terrify our competition in this country and beyond…
Paul Gillespie
HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE!
The Celtic Star’s book promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).
All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!
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- Summer Sale – Just £6
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- Summer Sale – Just £6
Its a good idea cause the last sux months he us getting man marked in the games first half he funds it hard to get away from his marker as the fame goes on fitness tells his marker cant keep up with him and ge starts dominating games hes a good in front of goals iwata should be better acclimitised to scottish game i think he is a goid player good eye for a pass still have hiata turnbull,O’Riley mooy in midfield maybe brendan will have other idea he wont change much at start tweek the formation as it was taking time to wear teams down might get taller defender to cover for taylor cause he not much good at set pieces in defensive situtaion not drop him just need somebidy in box for height to back post im sure brendan will sort that out