The fallout from Celtic’s 3-2 defeat to Rangers on Sunday continues, with pundits Mark Wilson and Andy Halliday expressing their shock and disappointment at the team’s defensive performance. Despite Celtic having the title all but wrapped up, the team’s recent performances in the Glasgow derbies have been unacceptable.
Wilson and Halliday were particularly critical of Celtic’s defense, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston coming in for criticism. The duo felt that Nawrocki, who was handed a rare start, performed well and was not at fault for the goals conceded.
“Barry Ferguson and his team took a direct approach,” said Halliday. “It seems that was a way to try and unsettle Celtic. I think it did. I think it unsettled them from the first whistle.”
Wilson added: “Nawrocki was the least of Celtic’s worries. I thought Carter-Vickers was poor. I know we are highlighting Alistair Johnston and how poor he was. That full right-hand side of the Celtic defense, Carter-Vickers, Johnston and if you include Engels in that triangle as well, really poor and Rangers exploited that.”
The statistics back up Wilson and Halliday’s assessment, with Nawrocki receiving a rating of 7.05 from WhoScored, while Carter-Vickers and Johnston received ratings of 6.45 and 6.12 respectively.
Celtic’s defensive woes are a concern, particularly given that the team has conceded three goals in each of their last three matches against Rangers. While the team’s title win is all but secure, the defensive issues need to be addressed if Celtic are to succeed in the long term.
The criticism of Carter-Vickers and Johnston is particularly noteworthy, given that the two players have been regular starters for Celtic this season. The team’s defensive issues are not just limited to the individual players, but also the tactics and strategy employed by the team.
Brendan Rodgers will need to address these issues if Celtic are to succeed in the future. The team’s title win is a testament to their strength and resilience, but the defensive woes need to be addressed if Celtic are to dominate Scottish football for years to come.
In conclusion, Celtic’s defensive performance against Rangers was unacceptable, and the criticism of Carter-Vickers and Johnston is justified. Nawrocki’s performance was a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing display. Rodgers will need to address the team’s defensive issues if Celtic are to succeed in the long term.
The match highlighted the need for Celtic to strengthen their defense, particularly in the right-back position. Johnston’s performance was poor, and the team needs to find a more reliable and consistent right-back.
Celtic’s title win is a testament to their strength and resilience, but the defensive woes need to be addressed if Celtic are to dominate Scottish football for years to come. The team’s fans will be hoping that Rodgers can address these issues and build a stronger, more resilient team for the future.
As the season draws to a close, Celtic will be looking to finish strong and build momentum for the next campaign. The team’s defensive issues need to be addressed, but with Rodgers at the helm, Celtic fans can be confident that the team will be stronger and more resilient in the future.
Leave a Reply