Emilio Izaguirre’s broken ankle against Aberdeen understandably triggered debate over who could replace the irreplaceable- or if Celtic needed to go into the transfer market to replace last season’s multiple Player of the Year award winner.
Neil Lennon wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t consider bringing in another left-back especially with Izaguirre absent for between four and six months.
Having looked around at the options I hope that the solutions are already in place with the current squad with Adam Matthews the obvious deputy.
Charlie Mulgrew stepped in for Izaguirre with some ease against Aberdeen but Mulgrew is probably the first to admit that it isn’t his preferred position. Having established himself as the club’s best central defender in the second half of last season Mulgrew will be hoping to get a run in that position alongside Kelvin Wilson.
In only a couple of first team outings Matthews looks as if he is upto the job despite the match at Pittodrie being his competitive debut.
The former Cardiff defender has shown a maturity way beyond his 19 years in his Celtic appearances and looked to be a time served left-back when he played in that position in the friendly against Wolves. His form was recognised by Gary Speed last night when he was played for the last half hour of Wales’ friendly against Australia.
When Celtic moved to sign Matthews in January his versatility would have been one of the major attractions although a long term injury to Izaguirre wouldn’t have been anticipated.
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With Matthews showing up well and on the back of an international appearance he looks ready to step in to fill Izaguirre’s boots. In most SPL games a Celtic full-back is rarely tested defensively which will give him time to find his feet and adapt to the position.
Playing against Sion and hopefully qualifying into the Europa League will prove more demanding for Matthews but Lennon will field a different type of team for those matches.
At Ibrox last season, Celtic’s toughest fixtures in the absence of European competition, Lennon changed his team significantly with an emphasis on defensive strength particularly from a strong midfield.
In those type of fixtures Matthews can expect to have Kris Commons or Joe Ledley providing support in front of him with a solid central defensive partnership to his right.
Recently signings such as Matthews have been referred to as projects and ‘one for the future’. Rather than a short term loan adding to the wage bill giving Matthews the left-back role looks like the obvious decision in the absence of Izzy.
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I think it’s a bit of a mute point with PL and our board anyway. What’s the chance of them spending more money after their huge £900k spending spree so far this summer ?
Price Waterhouse Cooper told them a couple of days ago that their wages to turnover ratio is well within limits, and, more importantly, that CL football is crucial to the clubs finances.
However, they’re still faffing around instead of just buying a goalkeeper we desperately need and who seems to be well worth the £2m his club want for him.
We could really do with a big center forward as well, but what chance have we got of getting one anytime soon ?
I think you’ve actually got to start questioning what the boards plans are for the club. Do they want a successful team or is it just a source of some extra pocket money for them ?
As usual the fans give, give, give, and the board take, take, take.
Matthews is an ideal deputy but surely Wanyama as extra cover could be another option cause lets face it he was brought in as extra defensive cover and would like to see him get a good first team run he does look quite classy and strong almost same as big Kelvin
Just another option eh?
HAIL HAIL LET THE THUNDER ROAR FOREVER MORE!!!!!11111111111
Fully agree, although some more goal scorers would be handy. With Sami and Murphy barely scoring last season, we will struggle if Hooper or Stokes gets injured or has a loss of form.
I totally agree with the points made by Android. It is clear we need a Keeper, a Centre-Half and a striker. Big Dan gives me the fear and will be torn to shreds by a half-decent striker. Charlie Mulgrew beside Wilson for me (if there is to be no money spent!). Mark Wilson could come in at left-back and allow Matthews to settle and grow in confidence in his preferred position.
It is unbelievable that a team with the baliffs literally at and through the front can still out spend Celtic. Admittedly they have a greater need this season and we have a reasonably settled side but additions need to be made, this is obvious to everyone…or is it? I dread to think the consequences of spending nothing and allowing them to claim a fourth title. Anyone who believes this to be impossible is deluded.
Sorry, I can’t agree…we are in desperate need of a left back. We should always have cover for any eventuality and it was clear that Mulgrew couldn’t cope even in the SPL, while Ledley would be a major weakness at fullback. With apparent interest in Izzy, we would be extremely lax if we didn’t have potential targets in mind. For me nothing has changed…apart from Commons we have no-one capable of playing the left flank to give us the width we require.
From the 19s last year we released Brennan who was more of a converted left midfielder and the brief pre-season outings by Twardzik at left back shows we were thinking of utilisng him in a similar scenario….again in my view a huge mistake.
If we blow this title, then the club can forget about 50,000+ crowds for a very long time to come. This league is a MUST WIN and we should take every opportunity to ensure we give Lennon the help needed. Failure is NOT an option, yet a blind man can see glaring problems with the season already underway, losing Izzy has pushed us back even further.
WillieBhoy
Brennan was at Celtic from 9yrs old, and played left back at every age group up to the “reserves” in that position , also for Scotland at Celtic your a wing back, not a full back, MOM at the youth Cup Final, showed he wasn’t to bad in the position.Filip never played left back for the 19s, so agree Lennon is trying to convert him, but lacks experience in the position, as he only plays there, when on first team duty, not fair on the bhoy, as he doesn’t want to play the position.