Celtic’s defensive conundrum

Defence is the most important aspect of the game. If you can’t defend properly you don’t get results. But doing the basics correctly seems to be a challenge for Celtic.

Supporters have their hearts in their mouths when a ball is now whipped into the box. An air of panic is set amongst a defence, which was so settled and commanding last season. Last year’s defence looked like Matthews/Lustig, Van Dijk, Denayer, and Izaguirre. That back four looked assured and steady. Additionally there was strength and presence when an opposing team would arrow the ball into the box.

With three of that back four now having left the club, the new additions have not lived up to the same defensive status as last season. Worryingly they have conceded 12 goals in the last seven games and haven’t kept a clean sheet since a 2-0 Glasgow derby win at Firhill. Thistle didn’t create chances and just four days earlier, the Hoops went into the heat of Baku and held firm for a 0-0 draw against Qarabag.

So what has gone wrong since then and who seems to be the cause of it? Jozo Simunovic can’t be judged yet but given his European experience so far at Dinamo Zagreb, he should add an aerial threat and solidity to a weakened defence. Dedryck Boyata who signed from Manchester City initially offered all the attributes to be similar to Virgil Van Dijk but has become lost in the last few weeks. In his Manchester City days, he gave away cheap goals and this pattern has continued, early into his Celtic days. A good example of this was against Aberdeen. A game in which Celtic were controlling then ended in a rash challenge giving Aberdeen a penalty and a route back into the game.

In addition, Tyler Blackett looked decent at left-back on Saturday but the winner from Aberdeen came from a cross that could have been dealt with. Blackett elected not to head the ball and allowed Paul Quinn to ghost in and score. Efe Ambrose, the risk taker in the Celtic side, however, if he was to do the basics instead of dribbling past one, two or three players, he could be another decent option in the Celtic back line. Charlie Mulgrew, who won Player of the Year at Celtic when he played centre-back a few years ago has also played at in that position this season. The Scot was plighted with injury last season and has lost a yard looking to be more of an option of left-back rather than the centre-half.

Thankfully both right-backs seem to be the strongest area in defence so far. Mikael Lustig and Saidy Janko both are assured and have given Celtic fans optimism in both an attacking sense and more importantly defensively. Lustig the Swedish international has been part of Celtic’s European adventures over the last few years and has been a stand out for the club since joining. Although Lustig is very injury prone, Janko can come in and be a powerful player. He has shown this, in the games he has played so far. In Malmo, he was a threat down the right hand side and linked up very well with Forrest. The league game prior to the match in Sweden, he defended well and bombarded the Dundee United defence with his strong and physical runs on the flank.

Finally we have Emilo Izaguirre. Maybe the one position where in the past there has been little options. Although at times he can be caught out when attacking forward, Izaguirre, has recently showed a maturity in the back four. A stand out performance was in the away tie against Qarabag. He defended resolutely and is still trying to get to the same level as he did in his first season for the Bhoys.

Now with defensive options in all four positions, Ronny Deila has a dilemma to pick a solid and stable defensive line. Last season’s back four looked strong, quick and powerful both in the air but also had a presence when opposing teams faced Celtic. Deila must rebuild a reliable backline or Celtic will face bigger issues in the Europa League campaign and domestically.

So who will Deila play?