The return from injury of Stephen McManus will pose some interesting questions for Tony Mowbray in terms of his defensive formation and also the captaincy issue.
Captaincy is generally a less important issue in the modern game but at Celtic it carries more status although recent captains have had their work cut out living up to the job description defined by Billy McNeill and refined by Danny McGrain and Roy Aitken.
McManus’s return presents Mowbray with three central defensive options and also three captaincy options.
The Celtic manager hasn’t commented much on the captaincy position, it is trendy to suggest that a team should be full of captains but inspirational types are generally thin on the ground.
McManus has been the club captain for the last two years but faces a battle to regain his place in the team which would surely put his position as captain in jeopardy.
CONTRACT
Caldwell has been the captain this season, when available, but has been below his best form and is now well into the final year of his contract.
Outsider Looverns had a troubled start to his Celtic career but since starring in the Co-Operative Cup Final win over Rangers in March has probably been the club’s best defender.
Three into two won’t go with Mowbray a fan of the 4-4-2 system which looks like leaving one internationalist sitting on the sidelines as the season develops.
Picking up on the impressive domestic form against Dundee United and Hearts over the next two weekends is all important, last season Celtic managed to draw six games out of eight against the teams battling for third place.
The defensive selection and captains role tomorrow will give interesting pointers towards the future shape of Mowbray’s side.
I think Mick will struggle to get back into the side and Caldwell will continue as captain.
The problem is Caldwell. It will be an interesting stick or twist situation come January.
Any truth in the rumour that TM told the board he would resign if they sold McManus?
YIC