Celtic’s defensive positioning was not discussed last summer

Conall McGinty’s article on The Celtic Star previously about Brendan Rodgers Having to sort out Celtic defense as a priority this summer has generated a lot of interest and feedback. Here is a view from a reader of The Celtic Star, which is worth sharing tonight as the debate continues. Let’s start by linking those who have yet to read Conall’s article below…

A lot of work is needed during the summer

The defensive line-up was not really paid attention to last summer, and the injury crisis for the central defenders hardly helped.

Rodgers made some decisions and may have opted to keep Hart and Taylor in their positions as first choice, even though many within our support felt this needed to be addressed. This is no longer the case and we still haven’t replaced Starfelt as a partner for CCV with the solid formation to make a defensive lineup work well in my opinion.

We still remain quite a ruthless team when forced to play on the back foot, which doesn’t help when we are no longer such a dramatic attacking team. I can understand that we want to become a more controlled team in our game, which will be a requirement to achieve success in Europe, but we are still a long way from achieving that, especially with the defensive setup as it is now.

Yes, I would expect changes within the current structure of the defense within the team for next season. I don’t believe Scott Bain will be kept in the number two goalkeeper role, so we could potentially be looking at two goalkeepers coming in, which should prevent another Barkas situation from arising.

Greg Taylor during the Champions League match between Celtic and Atletico Madrid at Celtic Park, on October 25, 2023. Photo Colin Poultney PSI

I still think Taylor needs an upgrade, even if I’m not sure Taylor is willing to play Ralston’s role within the squad. Monty and Frame still have the option to take on the backup role in the position, but hopefully Taylor remains a decent option within the squad.

CB positions aren’t that simple when it comes to the way the overall squad seems to be structured at the moment. I think next season we will look at 5CB within the overall squad. Therefore, CCV, along with Welsh and Lawal, could be requirements to meet the 8 homegrown rule. I believe Nawrocki is currently a better option than Scales for the left-sided CB role for the rest of this season. However, I wouldn’t argue that Maik is the permanent solution for the position next season.

So another CB may be needed within the team, which could mean that there may no longer be room for Scales. That might be a bit harsh on Scales, who has had a pretty decent season for ourselves overall, especially when it wasn’t expected of him at all as most thought he would be moved on, myself included.

Liam Scales and Gustaf Lagerbielke celebrate after victory during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Feyenoord at Celtic Park on December 13, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

If there’s anything to learn this season, it’s that depth is required within the overall look of the squad, especially considering the number of injuries suffered this season. We already know that most of Ange’s backup options aren’t in Rodgers’ plans, so a lot more work was needed than I think Rodgers expected upon his return.

As much as I can appreciate what Rodgers is trying to build with the overall structure of the squad, there is still a way to go before it is completed, and this is without knowing what changes might happen and what decisions about Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah have yet to be taken. made.

I’m also not terribly impressed with Rodgers’ decision-making this season, and many question marks remain as to whether his methods really get the best out of the key players we are still so dependent on, but who don’t to score. their abilities on a consistent basis this season.

So there is still a lot of work to be done in the summer, but at the moment there is still a lot of work to be produced in the rest of this season, and in my opinion also at a better level than yesterday.

John no