THE Champions League rematch with RB Leipzig at Parkhead tomorrow evening is one of the biggest games of Celtic’s season to date.
Win, and they will increase their chances of finishing in the top two in Group F and reaching the knockout rounds. Lose or even draw, and they could struggle to finish third and secure a place in the Europa League.
But their cinch Premiership meeting with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday – their first outing since captain Callum McGregor suffered the injury that is going to keep him out until after the World Cup - was every bit as important.
Ange Postecoglou’s side bounced back from their midweek loss in Germany with a narrow 2-1 triumph in Perth that maintained their two point lead over Rangers at the top of the league table. They will go into their encounter with Marco Rose’s team on a high after the dramatic victory.
But Celtic passed up a raft of chances, were fortunate to score when Andrew Considine put the ball into his own net in the first-half, allowed Alex Mitchell to grab an injury-time equaliser and only won when Giorgos Giakoumakis struck at the death.
So how are they looking ahead of Leipzig? Can they cope without McGregor? Can they turn around their Champions League campaign? Here are five talking points from the weekend.
DON’T GO CHANGING
When Postecoglou made six changes to his side for the cinch Premiership match against St Mirren in Paisley last month Celtic failed to perform and slumped to a 2-0 defeat that ended their 38 game unbeaten run in the top flight.
On Saturday he drafted in Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alexandro Bernabei, Liel Abada, Sead Haksabanovic and Giakoumakis for Josip Juranovic, Moritz Jenz, Greg Taylor, McGregor, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi have?
Would it show that the Greek-Australian coach has the strength and depth he needs in every position to negotiate a hectic schedule of domestic and European fixtures? Or would he have cause to regret his team selection once again?
The defensive approach that St Johnstone adopted – they played five in defence with three in midfield - made life difficult for the visitors. If Celtic’s finishing had been better their supporters would have endured a less nervous afternoon. They certainly created enough opportunities in the final third.
They got the job done in the end thanks to Giakoumakis, picked up all three points and maintained their slender advantage over Rangers at the top of the table. But Postecoglou should perhaps think twice about performing such radical surgery going forward. Especially with McGregor missing.
MIDFIELD SWITCH
Postecoglou described McGregor, who picked up a knee injury in the defeat to Leipzig that is going to sideline him for several weeks, as “irreplaceable” on Friday.
He had, though, to draft someone in to central midfield in the absence of his skipper and before kick-off there was much conjecture over who would take over from an individual who rarely misses a match. Would it be Oliver Abildgaard, James McCarthy or Aaron Mooy?
Somewhat surprisingly given that Abildgaard, McCarthy and Mooy were all available, playmaker Matt O’Riley was asked to operate in a slightly deeper role that normal.
Reo Hatate dropped back alongside O’Riley when his side were out of possession and moved forward alongside Sead Haksabanovic, who was deployed just behind lone striker Giakoumakis, when they had the ball.
It worked well enough. Celtic got the victory they wanted and should not really have needed an injury-time goal to clinch the points. But they missed their talisman’s ability on the ball and leadership qualities. There was nobody cajoling and encouraging them in the middle of the park.
Can they overcome Leipzig without the Scot? They will need to acquit themselves far better.
HART CLASS
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart had been lambasted in Saxony in midweek when his careless pass out of defence in the second-half, just seconds after a Leipzig goal had been chalked off following a VAR check, gifted the hosts their second.
But the former England internationalist redeemed himself against St Johnstone when he pushed a Stevie May shot that was destined to finish in the bottom left corner of his net onto the post when his side were leading 1-0. It proved to be a vital save.
Hart is not, and never has been, particularly good with the ball at his feet, but he is still a top class footballer who is worth several points a season to his side.
BRILLIANT BERNABEI
Alexandro Bernabei has made the headlines in Scotland for all of the wrong reasons since completing a £3.75m move to Celtic from Lanus in his native Argentina back in June.
He was arrested by police and charged with drink driving after an alleged incident in Glasgow city centre in the early hours of a Monday morning in August.
Greg Taylor’s form at left back both at home and abroad had limited his involvement in the first team to just two appearances before Saturday.
With Taylor rested after his midweek exertions in the Red Bull Arena, the 22-year-old had the chance to show why the Scottish champions had been prepared to pay so much money to secure his services.
He did so. Bernabei was excellent both defensively and offensively. Crucially, he got upfield and supplied the assist for the winning goal. The diminutive defender can take heart from his encouraging showing.
SO UNLUCKY SAINTS
Cameron Carter-Vickers, who donned the captain’s armband, and his team mates could have racked up an emphatic victory at the weekend if they had packed their shooting boots for the trip to Perth. They nearly paid a high price for their profligacy.
Callum Davidson’s team fought to the death. May forced two good saves from Hart before Mitchell restored parity at an Ali Crawford free-kick. The Giakoumakis winner in the fifth minute of added on time was devastating for them. Still, they can be proud of their play against the defending champions and league leaders and go into their meeting with Livingston at Almondvale this weekend with confidence.
