Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has explained why he substituted Kasper Hogh at half-time again during Wednesday night's draw against Dundee United. Hogh has been on a torrid run, still with no goal since his second appearance for the club, which came all the way back in August.
Hogh has struggled to offer anything of value over recent weeks, but he did least provided an assist for Celtic's opener on Wednesday night. But even that wasn't enough to save him from being replaced at half-time, and not for the first time this season.
"I thought we needed it," O'Neill explained. "Young Callum Osmand, his natural position is a striker or playing alongside somebody that's got a bit of strength. I've been really pleased with him. But we made the changes.
"Kasper again I thought worked really hard in the match for us. He set up the goal for us as well too. But we just wanted a change and we thought we're going to go wide with the two players who can take people on.
"Yeah sometimes you're gambling as well too. So as I said to you about United on the break. And then one occasion we played a short corner, lost it and Mika Baur makes a fantastic effort to get back and save the night for us. But yeah, we're still pleased with the team."
Celtic were behind at the break and went on to score an equaliser when Liam Scales atoned for his own goal with a goal at the other end. Jota, who came on for Hogh at half-time, provided the assist for that goal, and the Portuguese star was excellent in the second half, putting in his sharpest performance since returning from his long-term injury.
Haissem Hassan also did well on the other side, but he struggled to find the right cross, which has been an issue for him so far this season.
As for Hogh, there only so long O'Neill can keep putting him in and hoping for a change in form, especially with Durán scoring at will. The Colombian just keeps scoring, now with 11 goals this season, and he is still being played out of position just because O'Neill wants to keep starting the out of form Hogh.
Questions will keep being asked of O'Neill on that, and it's clear he sees issues, given he is regularly substituting the striker early in games.
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