Chris Sutton believes Martin O’Neill has some uncomfortable decisions to make ahead of Celtic’s return to Ibrox this weekend.
The sides meet again on Sunday in the Scottish Cup quarter-final, only a week after Celtic clawed back from two goals down to take a point in Govan.
That late recovery owed a lot to the changes from the bench. It rescued the result, but it also exposed a wider issue within the squad.
O’Neill does not have a settled side he can simply trust to start these games.
Celtic followed the derby draw with a trip to Aberdeen in their rescheduled league fixture. The performance was far from smooth, but the points were secured, and the Hoops moved up second in the table, five behind leaders Hearts.
Even so, the season has lacked rhythm and consistency.
Chris Sutton believes the contrast with previous Celtic squads is obvious when it comes to picking a team for major matches. He said (TCW):
“The issue which he’s got, the truth is, coming back in for a second time in January… If you look at the Celtic team now and going into the game, you could pick a Celtic team in the last five years going into a big game virtually with your eyes closed.
“You could, when Postecoglou came in and Rodgers seconded him. If Carter Vickers was fit, if Alistair Johnson was fit, McGregor, Hatate, you had O’Riley, Greg Taylor. Starfelt when he was here, you could pick a first 11.”
That level of certainty simply is not there now.
Celtic’s drop in attacking output underlines it. The Hoops are 53 goals worse off in the Premiership compared to the same stage last season. That is a drastic decline in firepower.
Sutton highlights the struggles of two loanees who should be fighting over the number nine position.
“But the centre-forward position, Adamu starting (vs Rangers), Cvancara didn’t even come off the bench. I thought Cvancara might start the game. But there’s a reason that Martin is alternating them.
“No one is coming out and saying, ‘That jersey is mine, this is my level of performance’. There isn’t that certainty in selection.”
Sutton believes the constant rotation reflects a lack of authority from either player.
“But the centre-forward position, Adamu starting (vs Rangers), Cvancara didn’t even come off the bench. I thought Cvancara might start the game. But there’s a reason that Martin is alternating them.
“No one is coming out and saying, ‘That jersey is mine, this is my level of performance’. There isn’t that certainty in selection.”
O’Neill also turned to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield, a late window arrival who had barely played football in recent months.
Sutton warned that the move carried risks.
“So he’s scratching around, having to get Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. That was when the window had closed. A player whose training with Arsenal has barely kicked a ball and trying to rely on him in a game.
“We’ve seen it before. Players come up from England. I’m not saying Alex was thinking like this. But at times, the game really passed him by and it’s happened before. People shouldn’t underestimate Scottish football. It was really hard for him.”
One decision Sutton did support was the introduction of Reo Hatate in the derby.
The Japanese midfielder brought energy that Celtic had been lacking.
“But I thought Martin made the right change (vs Rangers). In Hatate, Celtic had greater legs in the middle of the park. It worried me before the game, Celtic’s midfield three.”
Benjamin Nygren is the club’s top scorer this season with 19. While he deserves his plaudits, it adds context to Celtic’s struggle for goals up top.
Sutton says his former boss will be ‘scratching his head’ over his team selection between now and the end of the season.
“Nygren is an enigma in himself. He doesn’t have great athleticism. He’s got incredible instinct in the box. I don’t know what his best position is. He doesn’t control the midfield for Celtic. Second balls are a big part of the game. He’s not great at that.
“There’s always a sacrifice Martin has to make. Picking the team. That’s his difficulty. Of course, it must be an issue.
“He’s scratching his head. He’ll be keeping it very simple in terms of what’s the best team I can pick to win a certain game.”
That is the challenge facing O’Neill now.
Another trip to Ibrox is coming quickly, and Celtic’s manager still looks to be searching for a team that picks itself.
With new arrivals struggling to adapt and experienced players not hitting form, O’Neill has his work cut out.
This team aren’t controlling games for the full 90. That instability has them chasing games at times.
This weekend will be a test of character and a chance to build confidence going into the final stretch of the season.
