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News
‘Quicker and sharper’… Pat Bonner shares what he noticed about 30-year-old Celtic player in win vs Livingston
In recent Scottish Premiership matches, Celtic have been slow, insipid and at times devoid of any creativity.
Against Kilmarnock, Celtic were outfought as they surrendered a 1-0 advantage to lose 2-1 at Rugby Park. Against Hearts, the Hoops just looked like a team that hadn’t played together at all as they lacked fight in the 2-0 loss to the capital club.
But in the win against Livingston, Rodgers’ side looked like the Celtic of old as they produced wave after wave of attack to eventually cruise to a 2-0 win over the bottom club.
And that was down to the contribution of man. Celtic captain Callum McGregor has been much lauded as the only player who looks like he is trying for the team and yesterday was no different.
Former Celtic hero, Pat Bonner, praised the 30-year-old and shared what he noticed was different about the skipper’s performance against David Martindale’s side.
Bonner said [], “You can see also even [Callum] McGregor is playing balls quicker and sharper forward which is the key to I think the Celtic team and it suits the players that are in this squad, there’s no doubt about it.”
That fast paced football the Celtic fans had gotten so used to under Ange Postecoglou has been missing all season.
Rodgers has his own style and it seems to have taken away the relentless pressure that Celtic used to pile onto opposing teams.
That looked to have changed yesterday as the Hoops pummelled Livingston with wave upon wave of attacks in the first half.
McGregor did seem to be at the heart of it all and his role was key in ensuring Celtic kept all three points at Parkhead.
With a 96% passing accuracy, McGregor kept control of the midfield as he helped to probe and press the Livingston defence. []
McGregor also made 13 passes into the Almondvale club’s final third and created two chances. He certainly looked sharper and the stats back that up.
Hopefully, this will carry onto the next two games where six points will be a must if Celtic are to successfully defend their title.
In other news, ‘Legs like oak trees’… David Martindale is blown away by 25-year-old Celtic player’s physique