Frank McAvennie has pointed to the players he believes Celtic should trust going into next season, with changes expected across the squad. The former striker has picked out a group he feels can carry the team when the pressure comes back on.
There’s a clear mix in what he’s saying. Some are already key players, others have had to wait for their chance. What stands out is that he’s looking at players who can deal with the pace of the league but also offer something when games get tight.
That’s been an issue this season. When teams drop in and make it hard, Celtic have struggled to find a way through. It’s left too much on individuals to come up with something out of nothing.
He also touched on players who haven’t quite delivered what they should. That question of consistency is something Celtic will need to get right if they want a stronger season next time.
He said: (TCW), “Good question, KT [Kieran Tierney] is going to be there, that’s for sure.
“[Viljami] Sinisalo, I like him, and he’s done nothing wrong. I like [Alistair] Johnston and Yang’s improved. I don’t know if he’s player of the year, but he’s the most improved player this year.
“I just like [Reo] Hatate. But I don’t know why he’s not playing the way he can play. I think he’s one of the best midfielders up here. But he’s not doing it and I don’t know how he can switch off like that.
“There are a few…Jota’s going to be there, and you miss his flair, control of the ball, control of the game.
“Even [Arne] Engels, he’s become a better player for not playing. He’s a decent player, but he’s become better since he’s not been playing. It’s because of the midfield players.
“All of a sudden, people are saying ‘Engels is a player’. But when he comes back in, he showed at the weekend he’s got that bit of class, he’s got that quality that Celtic need.
“So I’m hoping that he’s [manager Martin O’Neill] going to start Engels because he has got that quality in there.
“Maybe that’s what we need…a wee bit of flair and quality.”
McAvennie’s picks give a rough idea of what the team could look like. Tierney and Johnston bring energy from full-back, while Hatate, if he gets back to form, can move the ball quicker through the middle.
Jota’s name comes up for a reason. When Celtic get stuck, they’ve lacked someone who can take the ball in tight areas and slow the game down on his terms.
Engels is a different case. He’s not been a guaranteed starter, but when he’s played, he’s tried to be direct and get Celtic up the pitch faster.
Yang’s progress adds another option out wide, especially when the game needs more running and less passing.
If this is the group Celtic lean on, the rest of the squad has to match that level. Not just ability, but how they handle games when things aren’t going their way.
yang just not playing to his strengthens hes has to bring full back into the game stop going inside if he does yhen has to do it to make space for fullback if he misses pass then whole right flank exposed with Engels now back can cover that space cause we have been playing with trying put square blockes in round holes puts the hole in trouble we are getting some players back even though the are building up match fitness St Mirren were rehearsing things for large hampden pitch I just hope its contutious to passing football our last foir games have been in sodden pitch pr sandy beach like Tannadice strong winds one good day and pitch to suit but with football getting played on it 24hrs earlier who knows