Defence was fine, problem was misfiring Celtic attack

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The Celtic Star

·22 December 2024

Defence was fine, problem was misfiring Celtic attack

Focus was all on the makeshift Celtic defence, but attack was our main problem at Tannadice…

Yang at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

When the team was announced for yesterday’s game at Tannadice we were all united in our fears due to being forced into fielding a makeshift backline, and one that didn’t exactly fill us with great confidence. With CCV and Auston Trusty missing through illness and Alistair Johnston carrying a knock, it meant that Tony Ralston, Stephen Welsh and Liam Scales took their collective places at the back.

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Stephen Welsh at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Celtic defence played well at Tannadice

In the end though Dundee United failed to trouble us at all, and to their credit the Celtic defence put in a decent shift getting well merited praise from Brendan Rodgers afterwards, especially Stephen Welsh who has played very little football this year but stood up to the challenge today and played very well indeed.

Our main problem was in an attacking sense. We were frankly toothless and despite missing the creative influence of Nicolas Kuhn we can’t have any excuses.

Luis Palma at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Daizen Maeda had one of those games that makes you want to tear your hair out, and Kyogo couldn’t hit the proverbial coos backside with a banjo. The chance that he missed near the end with only the keeper to beat was shocking, and very unlike him.

Yang failed to take his chance to impress

Yang failed to take advantage of injuries to Nicolas Kuhn and James Forrest and was hugely disappointing. while Luis Palma and Adam Idah also failed to impress after coming off the bench.

Kyogo is disappointed after the 0-0 draw at at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

That is quite concerning with some big games ahead, and something I’m sure will be playing on the mind of Brendan Rodgers, with the January transfer window opening in just over a week’s time.

Sandman Definitive Ratings

Today is the kind of days where an experienced manager takes notice casting a critical eye over his squad and today none of our front players covered themselves in glory. It will be interesting to read Sandman’s Definitive Ratings when they’re posted on The Celtic Star.

Adam Idah and Brendan Rodgers at Tannadice, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Sunday 22 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

However it’s Brendan’s own ratings of his frontmen that count most. His mind might have been made up today on what he needs in January and wingers seem to be further up the list after that game at Tannadice.

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