Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has finally noticed the problem with Callum McGregor against better opponents. The Bhoys lost in Europe again on Thursday, coming up short against Celta Vigo despite taking a second-half lead.
The Hoops conceded two goals in three second half minutes, making it three straight defeats to start their Europa League campaign. That puts Celtic in a tricky situation with five games remaining, keeping in mind they still have to face Besiktas away and Marseille at home.
Celtic are going to need a couple of big results to progress, and they don't appear to be capable of big results in Europe.
But the same problems keep popping up against the better sides, with Celtic getting exposed in midfield due to a lack of quality. Although, the main issue does seem fixable.
The winning Celta goal was a perfect example of what has repeatedly gone wrong with Celtic in Europe. The defence cleared - or half cleared - the ball and it fell to a Celta player on the edge of the box.
That wasn't by chance. When the ball left the foot of a defender, it did not even pass a Celtic midfielder on the way to Cela possession. Why? Because McGregor was once again sat too deep, alongside a defender, rather than being where he should be, which is out on the edge of the box, either picking up the second ball or making it difficult for the opposition to do anything with it by way of pressure.
Mika Baur is part of that, too, make no mistake, but he is not the main pivot assigned to break up play. McGregor has almost been immune to criticism, perhaps due to his stature at the club, but it seems O'Neill has finally spotted the issue.
"I think it’s something we really have to look at, closing down players on the edge of the penalty box, rather than giving them space," admitted the Celtic boss.
O'Neill added on Celtic's Champions League struggles: "Benfica won again on Thursday night. I see LASK won in the Champions League. We are up against reasonable opposition," O'Neill asserted. "I thought the other night was the night to get off the mark.
"Is Europe a step too far for us? I’m hoping not. It might be right at the end of it all but I don’t think so. You want to compete here. I’m not saying it should be an absolute joy but it should be a spur to play in these games against really decent opposition."
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