Celtic managed to get the job done on their return to action as a late winner from Callum McGregor was enough to seal all three points and the win away at Aberdeen. Of course, most of the talk coming out after the game was about the tactics that Jim Goodwin had used in hopes of keeping the Hoops at bay and almost succeeded until the very end.
To a certain point, one does understand why a manager would employ ultra defensive tactics against Celtic, who are not only the defending champions but also very capable of putting 6,7,8 even 9 goals past opponents on their day. Nobody wants to have that kind of a loss on their resume.
Thus, Celtic can expect to come up against deep sitting defences and ultra defensive tactics several more times before the end of the season, especially when opposition teams come visiting Parkhead.
The upcoming game against Livingston could prove to be one such game. David Martindale’s team have proven to be difficult opposition in recent times. There is some good news for Celtic though, as it looks like one of their most important attacking players will be back on the day.
Celtic handed major boost before Livingston game
Sead Haksabanovic will be available for the game vs Livingston after missing the Aberdeen match. As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Ange Postecoglou said while speaking in a media conference on Celtic’s official YouTube channel:
"“Yeah, Sead (Haksabanovic) is back, he’s good. And everyone got through the weekend all well.“In terms of outs, obviously, James McCarthy is still out, and Welshy, who is probably another couple of weeks away and obviously Josip (Juranovic) is away.“But out of the weekend, Sead is back and trained the last couple of days; fit and available.”"
It is safe to say that Haksabanovic’s return will come as a major boost for the Hoops as he was on top form in the weeks leading up to the World Cup break.
Those performances also saw Haksabanovic being named the SPFL Player of the Month for November. And after a slow start at Celtic Park, it is safe to say that he is up to speed now and showing the world what he is capable of.