Tony Mowbray’s team line-up for tonight’s game with Hapoel will be eagerly anticipated with the striking decisions of most interest.
Since losing Marc-Antoine Fortune to injury there has been a disjointed look about Celtic’s play following the free flowing football of the opening games of the season sandwiched around the impressive win away to Dynamo Moscow.
The Scott McDonald-Georgios Samaras ‘partnership’ looks uncomfortable to be kind, with Chris Killen, despite his goalscoring pre-season form, still down the pecking order and almost out the door during the transfer window.
McDonald has the best scoring record, over the piece as well as in big games, but would probably admit himself that being the sole striker isn’t playing to his strengths.
OPTION
Into the mix comes the Aiden McGeady or Shaun Maloney option. McGeady playing off Maloney caused Rangers plenty of grief in the Co-Operative Cup Final in March but for reasons best known to others was never tried again.
Playing either McGeady or Maloney alongside McDonald will be much more appealing to Mowbray after the performance of Niall McGinn against Dundee United.
The former Derry City winger was transformed from being a mystery to an option over the 81 minutes that he played against Dundee United. With his turn of pace McGinn could be a very useful European option out wide allowing McGeady and/or Maloney to link up behind McDonald.
Getting the balance right is all important with Fortune being out of action for at least a month as Mowbray puts his side together.
SPINE
There are questions being asked all over the team with the spine still far from decided, Stephen McManus is available again for central defence with the midfield looking very weak against Dundee United when Scott Brown was pushed forward.
Hopefully tonight’s game will be as illuminating as the Moscow performance and not an Arsenal like damp squib, with two home games coming up in the Europa League an away win for starters would make qualification less daunting.
Today’s Evening Herald
