Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton thinks the Bhoys need a different kind of attacking approach in high-intensity games that could leave Brendan Rodgers’ starters flagging in the second half.
One of the big talking points coming out of the midweek draw with Atletico Madrid was the fatigue experienced by the team in the final half hour and the lack of options the manager had available to him on the bench.
Sutton reckons Celtic need a bit more depth and a different kind of player in the attacking third, despite the qualities of stars such as Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda.
Speaking specifically about the UEFA Champions League clash, the outspoken pundit said [Daily Record]: “Celtic ran out of gas. Maeda is a phenomenon in terms of running and energy, but even he was sapped and, with the vibrancy disappearing, so did the home team’s grip on the game. At that point, you need a change of tact.
“If you can’t play through a team anymore because the legs have gone and you don’t have the back-up of the bench to boost the energy again without losing the quality in your play, you need a different way to relieve some pressure and get yourself up the pitch.
“Someone you can clip a ball 40 yards up the pitch and he’ll win you a free-kick or hold the ball up. Drag the opposition back and let your unit move forward and get a breath. Right now, Celtic patently don’t have that. Giorgos Giakoumakis could do it, but he left and Hyeongyu Oh might have been the one.
“But the fact he’s not playing much tells me he’s either being poor in training or the manager doesn’t fancy him because it was crying out for that type of striker. It’s not old fashioned, it’s not old school, it’s not route-one dinosaur stuff. It’s a valuable alternative.”
It could be argued similar issues were on display in the draw against Hibernian on Saturday. Should Celtic be turning to a player who hasn’t made an appearance for 19 months, Mikey Johnston, to pick up a vital three points?
Neither Johnston nor James Forrest should be made scapegoats for dropping points, but the 90 minutes did demonstrate that Rodgers’ options beyond the core team aren’t exactly stellar.
Oh did come off the bench in the Easter Road clash but to little real effect. There’s a growing feeling amongst some supporters that Celtic will need to bolster striking options in the January transfer window.
Listen, there’s no reason to be too critical here. Celtic’s points haul after 10 games is excellent and being five points clear at this stage of the season is more than welcome.
That’s also a chance that the South Korean striker could find his confidence and shooting boots under Rodgers. He’s improved struggling players many times before in his career.
However, improvements should always be sought and the winter window will give the club a chance to fix an underwhelming summer recruitment drive.
Neither Johnston nor James Forrest should be made scapegoats for dropping points, but the 90 minutes did demonstrate that Rodgers’ options beyond the core team aren’t exactly stellar.
Oh did come off the bench in the Easter Road clash but to little real effect. There’s a growing feeling amongst some supporters that Celtic will need to bolster striking options in the January transfer window.
Listen, there’s no reason to be too critical here. Celtic’s points haul after 10 games is excellent and being five points clear at this stage of the season is more than welcome.
That’s also a chance that the South Korean striker could find his confidence and shooting boots under Rodgers. He’s improved struggling players many times before in his career.
However, improvements should always be sought and the winter window will give the club a chance to fix an underwhelming summer recruitment drive.