Now is not the time to play around. Following Celtic’s defeat to Kilmarnock, Brendan Rodgers must show toughness by benching three players right away from the starting lineup.
There have been underperforming players on the Celtic team for far too long. While a decline in performance is common, it is not appropriate to keep playing guys who are obviously having trouble.
Rodgers needs to take the axe before a five-point advantage is given up as easily as the three points were at Kilmarnock yesterday. Celtic’s domestic form is being harmed by an over-reliance on hope that players who once produced the goods or praying that summer arrivals would come good.
These are the three guys who I believe Brendan Rodgers needs to look to bench right now for the Celtics.
Mikey Johnston needs to let go of Celtic.
Those who are familiar with me and my writing on TBR Celtic will understand that my greatest passion is watching young players go through the system and into Celtic’s first squad.
One of those players was Mikey Johnston, and even though I supported him when Brendan Rodgers gave him his first career start back in 2017, it’s important to keep in mind that he is no longer that young youngster.
The 24-year-old has been at Celtic for almost eight years, and despite making his debut at the international level and performing admirably when on loan in Portugal last season, he still hasn’t found his position there.
Because of the injuries at the team, I feel that Johnston is being forced into a position, but it’s time to remove him from the firing line and give players like Rocco Vata or Marco Tilio a chance. In any case, Mikey Johnston’s experiment needs to end because it is obviously failing.
Nat Phillips needs to leave the Celtic squad and go back to Liverpool.
A different player who was selected, similar to Mikey Johnston, to act as a stopgap because of Celtic’s summertime injury crisis.
Although Nat Phillips had a certain reputation when he joined Celtic, it’s still unclear exactly what he offers to the team after eight games this season.
The 26-year-old is obviously not match-fit, and he lacks pace, which is a critical quality for a defender in this day and age.
It makes sense, then, that he has had difficulty assuming any shape. In three weeks, Rodgers’ loan agreement will expire, therefore he will need to bench Phillips and choose between the two defenders he has spent a total of over £7 million on.
Isn’t it preferable to test guys who are motivated to play for Celtic rather than those who are aware that their future is elsewhere?
Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke are prepared and waiting. The Allsvenkan Best Defender of the Season award went to the Swede last season. He couldn’t really be that horrible, can he?
What about Nawrocki? Celtic great Arthur Boruc thinks he’s got what it takes, so why not give him a chance to prove himself?
Greg Taylor needs to take a temporary hiatus from his Celtics duties.
Considering the severe lack of talent in the backup positions, this is perhaps the hardest choice to make, although Greg Taylor does require a little absence from the team.
Image sourced from Getty Images by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio
This season, the Scotland left-back has been a constant in the Celtic squad and has participated in nearly every minute of league and cup play. [Transfermarkt]
Not because I don’t think highly of him, but rather so that he can take a break. Although Taylor has excelled for Celtic over the last two seasons, it is obvious that he is not performing up to par at the moment.
This brings up the following query. Who takes his place? Liam Scales might come in for a few games at left-back because Rodgers obviously doesn’t think highly of Alexandro Bernabei after turning him down against Hibs.
Ange Postecoglou’s early career saw the Irishman demonstrate his ability to do that, and with his passing range, he might be very useful on the left wing.
Rodgers would then have room to draft in Lagerbielke or Nawrocki to demonstrate their abilities without materially degrading the backline.
This will undoubtedly cause some people to disagree, but what are the alternatives? Do Celtics supporters want Rodgers to continue in his current role and hope for a different result? That signifies something to all of us.
The Celtic manager must also make do with what he has until the transfer window opens, which he is not doing at the moment.
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