Celtic told to improve squad in one particular position

It wasn’t a good performance from Celtic in midweek against Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa Conference League, neither as a team nor for most of the players individually. They were handed a convincing 3-1 defeat by the Norwegian champions at Parkhead and now have a mountain to climb in the away leg, under difficult circumstances as well as conditions.

One of the big changes on the night which took fans by surprise was the inclusion of Tom Rogic and Matt O‘Riley alongside each other in midfield at the expense of Reo Hatate. Both of them had shown great form in the run up to the match, but nobody expected to see them start together.

Neither had their best game by any means as the Celtic midfield struggled and perhaps left the backline more exposed than usual. That may have been a contributing factor to Greg Taylor’s disappointing display at left-back.

Taylor seemed to struggle in every aspect on the night and while that line up may not have helped, there are still question marks over his individual performance. In his column in the Daily Record, Chris Sutton did not seem to be impressed with the left-back either, as he wrote:

"The backline needs to be boosted. I’m not trying to pick on an individual, but I have said for a long time that left-back is an area which needs addressed and Greg Taylor was given a torrid time against Bodo/Glimt. The ease in which he was passed for the away team’s second goal was worrying."

Do Celtic need to improve at left-back?

There are at least options available for Ange Postecoglou at left-back if he feels the need to make immediate changes there.

With Anthony Ralston’s rise at right-back this season, there is the option to play Josip Juranovic on the left. That does go against the principle of playing your best players in their best position, but it has proven effective this season already.

Liam Scales has impressed when he has played at left-back as well. He has been able to provide a goal threat too.

We won’t know for sure if he provides a longer term option until he has a few more games under his belt.  We will maybe see him get more game time either instead of Taylor or as a substitute moving forward. Sunday’s line up against Dundee may give some initial answers.