CELTIC were seduced and sucker punched last night by a depleted, determined Sparta Prague. The defeat ranks as the second worst home defeat in the club’s history, falling behind the 5-0 thrashing that Paris Saint-Germain gave Brendan Rodgers’ side in 2017.
The nature of this defeat was sore, very sore. Celtic conceded four goals at home to a Sparta side that travelled without seven first team players due to COVID-19. The Czech side were also only playing Europa League football as their domestic season was suspended due to a spike in virus infections.
Celtic had no excuses, the performances was desperate and almost unbelievable. Prague joined Copenhagen, Ferencvaros, Cluj and Rangers of turning up at Celtic Park and not believing their lack at the lack of quality from Neil Lennon’s side. For the avoidance of doubt, these are not incredible teams, they are competent and well-drilled allowing Celtic’s game management disaster’s to leave Celtic Park with victory.
Shane Duffy is one player that has been criticised for his performances of late but he has been hung out to dry, the injuries that have hampered the defence have meant that he hasn’t been able to take a step out of the firing line – even for a minute.
Callum McGregor was singled out for his recovery run and weak defending in two of the goals last night. Can Lennon and the club expect him to be ‘on it’ every game for 50 plus games a season, excluding internationals? There must be squad management, allowing players to get fit and stay fit.
Another key issue is the goalkeeper position. Scott Bain is a worthy number two, a reliable pair of gloves and competent cup goalkeeper. Vasilis Barkas is yet to justify his fee and the manager has decided to bench him.
This wasn’t Cavani, Mbappe and Neymar this was a team that was missing SEVEN first team players. Celtic should have respected them, yes, but they should have done their homework and known where they would be attacked and try and nullify these potential exposures.
Sunday will be an enormous test and if there are anymore points dropped then it feels a managerial change is inevitable.
