Kris Commons sums don’t add up as he put the boot into the Celtic defence after the 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock.
Chris Jullien had a poor match with Kris Ajer short of his best but it seems very opportunistic for Commons to pounce on the two men in possession.
Every Celtic fan is waiting for news of a new central defender joining the club, the addition of fresh competition always ensures that those in possession raise their game.
Commons’ most damning criticism is that Ajer and Jullien would make his list of the top 10 Celtic defenders since the turn of the century. Commons goes on to name eight central defenders including Glenn Loovens and Kelvin Wilson which is certainly up for debate.
Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell don’t make the list alongwith with Efe Ambrose, Erik Sviatchenko, Dedryk Boyata and Jozo Simunovic also absent.
Picking up on Commons’ column in the Daily Mail, The Sun reports:
If you were compiling a list of the best centre-backs to have played for Celtic over the past 20 years, the names of Jullien and Ajer wouldn’t even make it into the top 10.
When you consider just how much is at stake this season, that’s a huge problem which I’ve got no doubt Lennon will be looking to address.
Virgil van Dijk will always be viewed as the gold standard. He cruised through the SPFL Premiership for a couple of years and has since gone on to become the best centre-half in world football.
I played in a Celtic team with Van Dijk and Jason Denayer, the Belgian who has just helped Lyon knock out Juventus to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
I’d take Denayer all day long ahead of either Jullien or Ajer. I’ll throw the name of Glenn Loovens into the mix as well. He was hampered by injuries, but he was a terrific defender on his day.
Charlie Mulgrew and Kelvin Wilson are another two. Wilson proved what a top player he could be when he kept the shackles on Lionel Messi and Co on that famous night back in 2012.
Going back to Lennon’s time as a player and to Martin O’Neill’s Bhoys of Seville, you’ve got the likes of Bobo Balde, Johan Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren.
Three absolutely colossal figures at the back. They were proper defenders who would walk into this current side in a heartbeat.
Commons has been dropped by Sky Sports from their coverage of Scottish football this season.