We reach the winter break with a credible title challenge due mainly to us getting significantly worse rather than others getting significantly better. Second half of the season needs considerable improvement on AND off the pitch, including those responsible for giving the manage the players he wants to improve us.
1. Gordon can’t play passes out with his feet. Today he either gave possession to them, put our defenders under pressure or kicked the ball out of the park. Same as at Pittodrie on Wednesday. If the manager wants to keep playing from the back we need another keeper, or give Bain more games. Look for a long term replacement by the summer window at the latest.
2. McGregor has been our best player this season. In midfield, especially deep lying midfielder (he was even our best player today at left back). Playing as deep lying playmaker the team as a whole are better, not just him personally. Play him there for the rest of the season.
3. I won’t say Brown’s finished, but he can’t play 2 games a week anymore. He should remain club captain but be back up to McGregor. If he wants to leave then let him.
4. For Celtic to go to Ibrox without a fit striker, and to have to have relied on a 20 year old since August is a disgrace. You could even say it’s a sackable offence for whoever is reponsible for this to happen.
5. Lustig is finished. The goal today was an embarassment for an experienced, international right back.
6. We need a first team ready Striker (not Weah), Right Back and Centre Half in the next week to give them time to integrate into the squad in Dubai. If we strengthen other areas to give us more squad options in addition to those three positions then great.
7. Our away form is an embarassment. The blame for that lies with the manager. His tinkering, playing weakened teams and playing tactics we don’t have the players to play has resulted in 4 defeats and 3 draws, that’s 18 dropped points out of 33. Away form needs to improve dramatically, we have 8 away games after the winter break including at all 4 grounds we have lost at. We need 6 wins minimum.