To say Celtic haven’t exactly lit the world on fire over its last two matches is an understatement. Sure, results secured a SPFL title and kept an unbeaten domestic season alive — which is all well and good.
But, this is a club that not only expects to get results but win in style these days. Such is the case when you have a plus-63 goal differential in league play. Recent results like a 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle have dampened the happy moments a bit.
That’s in large part because those games should’ve and could’ve been easy victories. However, no Moussa Dembele or Leigh Griffiths up top have served to highlight the need for a third striker in the squad.
It took Scott Sinclair’s magic to make both results happen. In the battle between Glasgow rivals, Sinclair’s goal in the 50th minute was Celtic’s lone strike and lone real opportunity in a 1-1 draw against Thistle.
He also provided the opening two goals and eventually the no-doubter in a 5-0 victory over Hearts to seal the deal. But, he’s just one man and against sides that pack it in or defend differently than Hearts did, Celtic have struggled without their star strikers up top.
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Without Moussa Dembele or Leigh Griffiths the goals have dried up. Their absences don’t just hurt Celtic’s ability to hang big goal totals on the board either. It means stretching all the other attacking players and forcing them all in to roles they aren’t best at playing.
Simply put — there has to be more than one option to count on when things go wrong.
That’s not to say Stuart Armstrong or Patrick Roberts can’t put in goals. But, the reality is that counting on them to be main goal-scoring threats is to put their best talents to misuse.
Rodgers seemed to believe he could get away with two great strikers and some cover from attacking midfielders like Sinclair, Armstrong and Rogic. But, miss most of the attacking parts and not have an out-and-out striker to trust and Celtic’s magic is certainly reduced.
The chances Celtic took against both Partick Thistle and Hearts were more direct and often easy for the opponent to snuff out. Celtic’s attack clearly works best when all parts are there and that includes a player with true striker abilities.
Instinct is a key part to a striker, and few of the options that Celtic have tried up top have that instinct needed. Sinclair has been tried up top, but he is best in an off-ball role.
Young Jack Aitchinson could be that answer in the future, but Rodgers hasn’t trusted him with a start yet this season. If not now with the title in hand, then when for the youngest Celtic player to ever start a match?
If Aitchinson isn’t getting a go, Rodgers needs to be looking elsewhere for cover this offseason.
Griffiths simply can’t stay healthy and Dembele may not be long for the club beyond another season in the Hoops for completely different reasons. Finding that third option that could step in for the immediate future and be groomed to be the star in the coming years would be ideal.
Luckily, Celtic have a manager who seems to have a keen eye for young talent and the ability to get the most out of said talent.
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Let’s see if Rodgers can get the player needed to fill that role in the summer transfer window. Perhaps it should be be one of his more pressing needs this offseason judging by what we have witnessed in the past few weeks without Dembele or Griffiths up top.