Ronny Deila has explained why he picked Charlie Mulgrew ahead of Emilio Izaguirre for the Champions League win over Stjarnan.
The Honduran has been virtually an ever present at left back since signing for Neil Lennon five years ago with the exception of a four month stint when he broke his ankle in 2011.
Izaguirre started the home leg against Stjarnan but found himself on the bench for the return match with Mulgrew stepping in and coming up with a goal in the 4-1 win.
“We chose Charlie in Iceland and we’ll see what we do in the next game,” Deila stated. “Charlie is a good player with a lot of experience and he can fill different roles.
“Defensively, he talks and communicates better than Emilio has done recently, so it was better. We are also dangerous at set-plays and Charlie has great delivery.
“There are positive things in playing Charlie at left-back, but Emilio also has good things that he does going forward. He has speed. It’s the same as with strikers, you use them differently in certain situations.
“Charlie understands how important he is to us. It is difficult for him to play centrally because of the players we have in those positions but he is also a very good player.
“Competition is hard for everyone but it is also important we can use Charlie at left-back.”
Deila added: “I don’t think Emilio has been anything different from last year. We talk a lot and he knows the things he has to work on to improve. He’s in our plans for the future.
“Emilio will be back. He’s a good player who has featured in about 95 per cent of the games since I have been here.”
Thought Ronny called it right !
HH