AdminCeltic suffered a rare setback, dropping points for only the second time this season, as they drew 0-0 with Dundee United. Manager Brendan Rodgers made several changes to the team that won the League Cup final against Rangers, with some key players missing due to illness and injury. The new-look team, which included Luke McCowan, Anthony Ralston, Stephen Welsh, Liam Scales, and Yang Hyun-Jun, dominated possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Despite bringing on substitutes Adam Idah, Paulo Bernardo, Arne Engels, and Luis Palma, Celtic were unable to break down a resolute Dundee United defense. The team’s lack of bite, one-touch play, and finishing in the final third was evident throughout the game. Former Celtic player and current commentator Chris Sutton was honest in his assessment of the game, stating that Celtic “weren’t good enough” in the final third.
Sutton also sympathized with the team’s fringe players, who were given a rare opportunity to start but failed to impress. He acknowledged that it’s not easy for these players to come in and perform at the required level, especially when they’re not getting regular minutes. Sutton tweeted, “Celtic not good enough in the final third today. You can’t win them all mind. Big players missing and not easy for fringe players to come in and perform to the required level. Well played to Jim Goodwin and Dundee United.”
The focus should be on the senior players who started the game, including Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda, who were not at their best. Rather than criticizing the fringe players, such as Luis Palma, who has barely played 200 minutes of football this season, the attention should be on the regular starters who failed to deliver. It’s unfair to expect players who are not getting regular game time to suddenly step up and perform at a high level.
The statistics from the game, as reported by BBC Sport, highlight Celtic’s struggles to break down the Dundee United defense. The team’s attempts from outside the box were particularly notable, as they were unable to find a way to score. This is an area where Celtic has struggled in the past, and it’s something that Rodgers will need to address in the coming weeks.
One of the main reasons why Celtic struggled to create chances was the lack of creativity in the midfield. The team’s midfielders, including Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate, were unable to create many scoring opportunities, and this put a lot of pressure on the team’s forwards. The lack of width and pace on the wings also made it difficult for Celtic to stretch the Dundee United defense and create opportunities.
Despite the draw, Celtic remains in a strong position in the league, and they will be looking to bounce back and continue their strong form in the Champions League and domestic competitions. The team has been near-faultless this season, and it’s not surprising that they had a rare off-day against Dundee United.
The draw also highlights the importance of having a strong squad with depth and quality. Celtic’s fringe players were given a chance to shine, but they were unable to take it. This is not a criticism of the players, but rather a reflection of the high standards that Celtic has set this season. The team will need to strengthen their squad in the coming weeks and months if they are to maintain their current level of performance.
In conclusion, the draw against Dundee United was a rare disappointment for Celtic, but it’s not a cause for concern. The team will look to bounce back and continue their strong form in the Champions League and domestic competitions. The focus should be on the senior players who started the game, rather than the fringe players who were given a rare opportunity to start. The team’s lack of creativity in the midfield and lack of width and pace on the wings were major factors in their inability to create chances, and these are areas that Rodgers will need to address in the coming weeks.
The draw also highlights the importance of having a strong squad with depth and quality. Celtic’s fringe players were given a chance to shine, but they were unable to take it. This is not a criticism of the players, but rather a reflection of the high standards that Celtic has set this season. The team will need to strengthen their squad in the coming weeks and months if they are to maintain their current level of performance.
Overall, the draw against Dundee United was a rare setback for Celtic, but it’s not a cause for concern. The team will look to bounce back and continue their strong form in the Champions League and domestic competitions. With a strong squad and a talented group of players, Celtic is well-equipped to achieve their goals this season.
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