GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS OR KYOGO FURUHASHI. WHO IS CELTIC’S NO.1 STRIKER?
KEITH: With a fixture pile-up to get through they’ll continue to share the workload between them for the time being. But Ange Postecoglou will be hoping Kyogo plays his way back to form as his first choice striker has lost his clinical touch in front of goal. Giakoumakis is the man in form.
CRAIG: There is no first pick. Both are outstanding in their work and bring differing attributes. In terms of Motherwell on Wednesday, Giakoumakis has the shirt and should start after scoring twice at the weekend.
FRASER: Like most positions but perhaps even more so with strikers I reckon the man in form should get the shirt and for me that’s Giakoumakis. Two very different players but the Greek offers more physicality and right now is more clinical.
MICHAEL : Giakoumakis. Kyogo is a talent and he’ll get back in the goals but the big Greek adds a different dimension that suits the way Celtic play. He can attack crosses and bully defenders. He deserves a run.
SHOULD GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST BE TARGETING FREE AGENTS?
KEITH: Probably. But this is a mess of Rangers’ own making. The decision to allow Leon Balogun and, to a lesser extent, Nikola Katic to leave the club in the summer has come back to bite them on the backside. Banking on Filip Helander and John Souttar staying fit for any length of time was bordering on stupidity.
CRAIG: Not really. They have plenty of defenders in the ranks. It’s more just a case of getting through until January and then looking.
FRASER: It would be remiss not to be looking for additions. Hindsight is great but allowing Leon Balogun to leave in the summer was a mistake and the Gers’ backline is now under serious strain at a time when they can’t afford to drop points.
MICHAEL : It’s a difficult market. Any free agent available right now won’t have kicked a ball for months and it will take time to get up to speed. Leon King has earned his shot and John Lundstram can always slot back if needed.
VAR ENTERS THE FRAY ON FRIDAY. ARE YOU EXPECTING CALM OR CHAOS?
KEITH: What could possibly go wrong? Look, there will be controversies - there is nothing more certain - but this technology will at least bring Scottish football up to speed with the rest of the world. It’s much needed and a change for good.
CRAIG: Not that much will change. There will still be arguments and debates. The games will take longer, but, crucially, there should be more decisions made correctly than being wrong. That’s all that counts.
FRASER : Chaos! Yes the system will cut down the number of outright errors but stop after-match finger-pointing? No chance. We can only hope the technology actually works without a glitch or it will be outright bedlam.
MICHAEL : Ian Maxwell warned us it could be horrendous for the first few months and the SFA chief won’t be wrong. It’s the right move but there will be a fair few bumps early on.
FOUR PREMIER SPORTS CUP QUARTER-FINALS THIS WEEK. PICK THE SEMI-FINALISTS
KEITH: The trickiest one to call will be tomorrow at Rugby Park but Kilmarnock might just edge it over Dundee United on their own plastic pitch. Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen will all get the job done on Wednesday night to make it into the hat.
CRAIG: Rangers should see off Dundee. Same with Celtic at Motherwell. Kilmarnock can beat Dundee United and Aberdeen can survive a scare from Partick.
FRASER: Derek McInnes loves a trip to Hampden and I can see his cup nouse edging Kilmarnock past Dundee United. Other than that Celtic should be too strong for Motherwell, Aberdeen likewise for Partick Thistle and Rangers should have too much for Dundee.
MICHAEL : Kilmarnock, Celtic, Aberdeen and Rangers.
