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Who was the best Celtic holding midfielder since 1988?

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The search for the best Celtic side since 1988 really gets tough when you move into midfield.

Without question the club has been blessed with some outstanding talents since the Centenary side lifted the double in 1988.

Various formations have been tried but for the purposes of this vote the team will play 4-4-2.

In the centre there will be two players, a stopper/destroyer/holding midfielder alongside a more creative type.

The concept of a holding midfielder was really established by Neil Lennon, until then most midfielders did a bit of defending as well as attacking with a number of recent trends including the diamond formation and even a ‘false number 9.’

Brendan Rodgers is currently working with a number of options without settling on the right mix, throwing in 30 years of options would make things almost impossible.

With a powerful defence of Mikael Lustig, Virgil van Dijk, Alan Stubbs and Kieran Tierney there is real quality already in the side in front of Artur Boruc.

This poll will run until midnight on Friday, go to the final page to vote, followed by the poll for the creative midfielder.

SCOTT BROWN

The main man in the invincible side with over a decade of winning battles at home and abroad.

Initially there were doubts about the wisdom of spending £4.4m on the midfielder who toiled to kick on from the promise he showed at Hibs.

It was a bit of a shock when Tony Mowbray gave him the captaincy but successive managers have put their trust in the Fifer to carry out their instructions.

NEIL LENNON

Most definitely the face of Martin O’Neill’s side, he redefined the role as a holding midfielder with attacking instincts nipped in the bud.

Lenny played the game in his head, despite his fiery image he was rarely suspended using his awareness to avoid difficult situations.

He survived the changeover from O’Neill to Gordon Strachan, playing a full part in four title successes and the run to the UEFA Cup Final in Seville.

STAN PETROV

Was a lost bhoy under John Barnes, flourished under Martin O’Neill then was sold by Gordon Strachan.

Petrov was more creative than most holding midfielders but could play in any midfield role that he was tasked with.

He was the early example of importing and showcasing a player, enjoying the benefits then selling on for a profit that suited all parties.

PAUL LAMBERT

Played a crucial role in two very different success stories- it’s doubtful if 10-in-a-row would have been stopped without his influence.

Alongside Craig Burley he anchored that side, three years later he performed in tandem with Neil Lennon as Celtic lifted their first treble in 32 years.

Lambert set a new standard in intelligent midfield play, captaining Celtic in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final against Porto.

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