NAILING down a regular starting spot in Celtic’s midfield is easier said than done, as Peter Grant knows only too well.
The former Scotland internationalist, who progressed through the Glasgow club’s youth ranks before breaking into the senior side in the mid-80s, had to vie with the likes of Paul McStay and Murdo MacLeod for a place in the first team when making the step up to the men’s game.
The 57-year-old had to fight for everything he earned and believes the fierce competition for minutes in the middle of the park forced him to raise his game – and he believes current manager Ange Postecoglou is benefitting from a similar process.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given his playing CV, Grant believes the midfield is the key to winning any game of football. Dominating the ball and setting the tempo are key components of a championship-winning Celtic side, he insists, and he reckons the current crop at Parkhead are very adept at doing precisely that.
With Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate, Aaron Mooy, David Turnbull and new arrival Tomoki Iwata all competing for one of the three midfield slots in Postecoglou’s system, the Celtic manager faces something of a selection headache every week – and Grant believes it’s this quality in the middle that separates the Premiership champions from their domestic rivals.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “I’ve said since the start of the season that the biggest thing they’ve got going for them is the squad of players they have.
“You saw the team they had out on Saturday. People say the middle of the pitch is where games are won and lost and you look at the options Celtic had the other day who didn’t play.
“I thought Celtic might have struggled when Callum McGregor was out, but Matt O’Riley adjusted his position and did really well. You have Hatate as well.
“Iwata came in and got a lot of touches and looked comfortable in that position. The manager says he’s not yet up to speed, it’ll be interesting to see who he picks when he is up to speed.”
Saturday’s 5-0 trouncing of Morton in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup ensured that Celtic’s bid for a domestic treble remains intact, and it also allowed supporters to catch a first glimpse of the club’s latest recruit.
Iwata was brought on at the interval on Saturday to replace McGregor, filling in at the No.6 position at the base of midfield, and gave a good account of himself. He will surely face more testing opponents in the coming weeks and months, and Grant is convinced the 25-year-old will only get better and better on Postecoglou’s watch.
“He’s got a great physique and is very powerful,” Grant observed. “He moves the ball quickly. People will say no one got close to him at the weekend and it was easy. But he made the space for himself so no one could get close to him. That’s an intelligent footballer.
“He just moves the ball about and he probably had more chances in 45 minutes than some had in the full game.
“He was always available and looks a strong character. That’s what the manager looks for. He wants power, physically and mentally.”
One man who has certainly improved as the season has worn on is Mooy, who was brought in on a free transfer in the summer. The Australia internationalist hadn’t played or even trained in months when he first pitched up in Glasgow’s east end but has gone from strength to strength since.
Few would doubt the technical ability that the 32-year-old possesses and Grant believes supporters are now seeing the best of the former Huddersfield Town midfielder, who grabbed a brace at the weekend.
Grant explained: “Mooy has been excellent since he got back from the World Cup and he was looking fitter before Qatar. He can play the holding role, but he’s more effective for me playing further forward. That’s where he played in England, where he proved he can score goals.
“If he struggled at the start it came from not playing. It doesn’t matter how fit you are, if you are out for a period of time it’s difficult, especially the way Celtic play. That might have been why he had a deeper role at first but I always thought he’d move up the pitch.
“You’ve seen him be involved in a lot of opportunities in the games he’s played. He got two the other day and could have had a hat-trick. He brings something different and he is another one that adds goals.”
Many benefits have accompanied Celtic’s newfound depth in midfield but there have been one or two downsides, too. The increased competition means that first-team minutes have been hard to come by for some, with Turnbull probably the most glaring example.
A few niggling injuries picked up this season and in the previous one have hampered his opportunities but it is hard to escape the fact that the 23-year-old is probably fifth or sixth choice in the Parkhead pecking order these days. Dislodging the likes of O’Riley or Hatate will be no mean feat but Grant insists that Celtic Park remains the best place for the Motherwell academy graduate, who also found the net against Morton.
“There are not many places to go for David that will be better than Celtic,” Grant added. “I think Celtic suits his style. He’s been very unfortunate with injury problems but every time he plays he’s a goal threat.
“He’s got a lovely touch on the ball. Sometimes it’s better to train with the best players and when the chance comes to play then grab it with both hands.
“David has the ability to do that. Celtic also want to have as many goal threats as possible and midfielders supporting is so important.”
