It certainly wasn’t a rant or an outburst but after drawing last night at Motherwell Brendan Rodgers explained that he can’t just rely on 11 players.
For various reasons the Celtic boss had to make a number of changes for the game at Fir Park but none of the players brought in managed to ‘do a Ryan Christie’.
Over the last six or seven weeks as Celtic became more recognisable with the Double Treble winners a smallish group of players became central to that success.
A winning run in the SPFL, back-to-back wins in the Europa League and retaining the Betfred Cup were all welcome signs of progress but before the year is out there are a number of major challenges.
Over a period of just over a fortnight the hoops will host RB Salzburg before punishing visits to Easter Road, Pittodrie and Ibrox.
After publicly expressing his doubts about his squad depth there is a greater emphasis than ever on the players that produced as autumn turned into winter.
The big hitters are likely to be back against Kilmarnock on Saturday but after the draw at Motherwell it looks like Rodgers will have to put his trust in a small group to deliver Europa League football and a lead at the top of the SPFL going into the new year.
CRAIG GORDON
Can be relied on, tried and tested and knows that he has real competition from Scott Bain.
One of the big questions for any Celtic keeper is can he hold his nerve at Ibrox- Gordon has answered that positively on a number of occasions and will be in his usual place at the end of the month..
A settled central defence certainly helps but a reliable keeper helps those defenders with Gordon someone that his manager can rely on.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
He hasn’t been at his best this season with European ties exposing real weaknesses.
Attacking is rarely an option these days, James Forrest can deal with that down the right leaving Lustig to get on with his defensive duties.
Resolving his contract issue would help, it’s likely that the club will exercise the 12 month option that they have with the big matches this month Lustig’s opportunity to prove that he is worth a new deal.
FILIP BENKOVIC
Has settled in quickly, showing that youth doesn’t need to be an obstacle in central defence.
Game by game he is looking more impressive, comparisons with Virgil van Dijk are perfectly reasonable for the on loan defender.
Nothing so far has fazed him, he will be the key defender through the difficult fixtures ahead in December.
DEDRYCK BOYATA
Every Celtic fan and certainly Brendan Rodgers will be hoping for a quick and complete recovery from injury.
His partnership with Benkovic clicked straight away, playing a major role in all three Europa League victories.
Kris Ajer could be back in contention soon but while he still has a contract at the club a fit Boyata will go straight into the starting XI
KIERAN TIERNEY
He could probably play every day of the week and still deliver at least 7 out of 10 performances.
His high standards have become the norm with an OK display looked on as some sort of disappointment.
He revels in the bigger games, Pittodrie seems to bring out his goal scoring instinct while the end importance of winning at Ibrox will inspire rather than intimidate the 21-year-old.
SCOTT BROWN
There is a now a definite argument about the merits of the team with or without the skipper but at Ibrox at the end of the month he is the man to lead the side.
True the team has impressed without the 33-year-old but that view overlooks the 0-0 draw at Livingston last month.
There are now other options but no player has the trust of his manager like Brown does, he’s fresh, fit and ready to drive on towards more silverware.
RYAN CHRISTIE
Over a six week period he has moved from fringe man to first pick as his November Player of the Month award demonstrated.
He has the ‘dig’ to play in the engine room but also the mobility and eye for goal to do damage in the opposing penalty box.
Christie’s arrival has been very timely giving the team a new midfield option and a player that the manager can definitely trust.
JAMES FORREST
Fir Park has never been an accommodating ground for wingers with Forrest sitting out last night’s battle.
He has excelled in Europe and is a key part in any counter-attacking moves, his pace worries and hurts opponents.
Last night’s breather will have recharged the batteries, he’ll be wound up and ready to go for the remaining matches this month looking to continue and improve on his recent devastating form.
TOM ROGIC
Has given glimpses of top form but seems to have been shackled by injury as well as those long distance international treks.
His partnership with James Forrest has been very productive but on his game Rogic is unplayable, popping up in difficult areas and firing in shots when keepers least expect.
On form and fully fit he is tried and tested, certainly one of the players that Rodgers can rely on.
CALLUM MCGREGOR
His versatility provides two players in one, as a holding midfielder he has been excellent in Scott Brown’s absence.
Scott Sinclair’s form can be erratic, McGregor is always keenly involved and can drop inside or deeper as circumstances require.
He doesn’t have the dribbling skills of a winger but with KT bombing down the left there is plenty of attacking options coming from that flank.
ODSONNE EDOUARD
Has been hot and cold, despite the £9m transfer fee it has to be remembered that he is only 20 years of age.
A little burst of goals is on the cards, he has shown already in his Celtic career that he has the ability for the big occasion.
Leigh Griffiths has a lot to prove in terms of fitness, hopefully he can he;p share the burden but for the big matches French Eddie is the man in possession.