The Celtic cry was “No Defenders”
Loovens the latest addition to the Celtic backline injury list
Given the way that Celtic have defended this season, it is maybe not the worst thing in the world that Tony Mowbray has been forced into changing his back four.
And when you consider his substitutions in the second half in the win over St Johnstone, if he could get away without a defence, he may well try it.
At one point, Celtic had McGinn, McCourt, Crosas, McGeady, McGowan, Samaras and Fortune on the field.
Add in Paul Caddis, who is more of a wing-back as opposed to a genuine full-back, Celtic were playing with only Darren O’Dea and Josh Thompson at the back.
A player making his first start for the club and another who struggled to get a game on loan at Reading for the first half of the season.
Mowbray is really down to the bare bones of a back line at the moment.
Gary Caldwell is gone.
Mark Wilson is still a long injury casualty.
Stephen McManus is injured and has looked off-form all season.
Danny Fox has been missing since after the Rangers game.
Lee Naylor picked up an injury after the Morton match.
Glen Loovens was subbed around 20 minutes of the St Johnstone game and required stitches. The player had a slight concussion which may see him unavailable for the next game or two.
Celtic currently have Andreas Hinkel, Josh Thompson and Darren O’Dea available.
The club has recently signed two centre halfs, Jos Hooiveld and Tomas Rogne and Hooiveld may be forced into first team action sooner than Mowbray would have wanted.
Celtic welcome Hibs to Celtic Park on Wednesday night and there is no doubt that Hibs have the fire power to punish a weak rearguard.
Hibs struck 5 against Hamilton with Nish, Stokes and Riordan all on the score-sheet.
Tony Mowbray will need to spend a couple of hard days on the training field (or in the transfer market) to ensure his backline is up to the task at hand.
Do Celtic need to buy more defenders this window?
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dare i say Celtic looked far better with Thompson & O Dea @ the back?
You are entitled to say what you like Danny.
Loovens looked nervous for the time he was on the pitch (much as he did at Morton).
By the time Thompson and O’Dea were paired, St Johnstone were sitting further back, so the duo werent put under too much concerted pressure but Thompson certainly dealt with Duechar in the air.
It has only been one and a bit games for Thompson but he hasnt been any worse than any other Celtic centre half this season…which says more about the other defenders than Thompson!
Well what i have liked about the bhoy Thompson is that he plays it simple & Does not take any risks which the outher guys like caldwell loovens & mc manus seem to do which ends up with defence under pressure when there is know need.
Absolutely Danny…anyone who played at the back for their school team will remember the mantra
IF IN DOUBT, PUT IT OUT.
Sometimes, you just want your defenders to defend.
Completely agreed. Although he is still as raw as an uncooked sausage I think Josh has done fairly well with his no-frills defending.
I have been wanting him to get a chance all season. We knew what the 3 amigos (Heid, Glen & Mick) were capable, or incapable, of but 2 out of 3 were picked every week despite continual blunders. Now, albeit through injuries, he is at least getting a chance and proving himself quite capable. I hope O’Dea gets a run as well despite his Reading fiasco.
Slowly but surely the old mediocrity is being phased out. Let’s hope it is enough to clinch the league before the real re-building begins.
Maybe the move to reading could be good for O Dea with him not getting a game there it might make him realise that he still has a bit to do!!
It was the first time i had seen Thompson and he looked good. He looked nervous and was prone to putting the ball out of the park when pressured, but sometimes that is not a bad thing
Craig thats what Billy McNeill did play safe.