Lennon: Miku role was vital
The on-loan striker cut a lonely figure in his last Celtic Park appearance as he trudged off after being substituted in the 2-0 defeat from Kilmarnock.
At Tannadice on Sunday he looked a completely different character showing some great touches to notch his first goal for the club before diving in with the supporters to celebrate.
Lennon has never doubted Miku’s quality and after much thought about formations decided to go with the Venezuelan striker for a key role against Barcelona.
“We debated whether to play 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 and pack the midfield but you need pace in wide areas if you are going to counter-attack,” the Celtic boss revealed. “With respect, Charlie Mulgrew and Kris Commons are not as quick as James Forrest and Georgios Samaras, so speaking to [coaches] Johan Mjallby and Garry Parker, we were wondering if we’d get out if we went 4-5-1.
“Would Sami be isolated up there? He’s great on the counter-attack but would we get the support to him? The other thing was that the supporters would be sick of seeing the ball being recycled and Barcelona getting it. It can be dispiriting for the players as well.
“So we wanted Miku to be a link between the midfield and Georgios and get support to him as best he could. I think Miku played wonderfully well. He did everything we asked of him and more.
“Our options were getting shorter and shorter. We were waiting on Scott Brown [he had a virus] to see if he would be fit to play and, about 2.30pm, it was clear he wasn’t. But it was all down to the players. It’s all about them.”
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