Even the media is beginning to realise that Celtic need to change tactics and formation, so surely Martin O’Neill has by now?

Last night, on the Trinity Tims, we discussed in depth what Martin O’Neill had to do to ensure Celtic at least remained in this title fight to the end.

We were all of the general consensus that ditching the 4-3-3 formation is a must.

For a long time now, we’ve discussed this, in fact, we can go back to Brendan Rodgers to chart where all of it began.

It was last season when we pointed out that every other manager in the Scottish Premiership could read his tactics like a book.

Brendan Rodgers tactical inflexibility was a big part of the problem in his tenure towards the end.

Which was strange because in the past, he always had a plan B.

That was something that was strangely lacking in his second tenure, and once other managers saw through his tactics, watching games became turgid and frustrating.

Which brings us to right now.

Once again the 4-3-3 formation is becoming Celtic’s achilles heal.

It is the one thing holding us back.

Now a lot of people might say that we don’t have the players to play a different formation.

When in reality, there’s no point in saying that because we don’t have the players to deploy the 4-3-3 formation effectively either.

The fact now, is that the media are even starting to notice this.

Craig Swan in the Record wrote an extensive piece on it this morning.

It doesn’t exactly talk about changing the formation or tactics, but it does hint at changing the tactics to suit Benjamin Nygren.

To get the best out of our top goal scorer.

Here’s a bit of what Frank McAvennie had to say about him in the article by Swan:

Ex-Celtic attacking hero Frank McAvennie has a simple plan to make it work telling Record Sport last week: “I’d put him up front. I don’t know about centre forward but I’d just leave him up there because he has a eye for goal. That would allow you to match up in midfield because when he’s in there, he’s non existent.

“If he doesn’t score he doesn’t do anything or he gives the ball away. He’ll be Player of the Year this year with 19 goals, but he’s not kicked a ball. That sums it up.”

For me, that is a decent suggestion.

Play Nygren upfront for Celtic.

With 19 goals this season, it seems like a no brainer to deploy him as a striker because he clearly has an instinct for putting the ball in the net.

Martin O’Neill could deploy either a 4-4-2 or his old formation 3-5-2.

Playing both Nygren and Čvančara as a front two could be devastating to defences.

Čvančara has the height to knock down balls and provide the service required to Nygren to put the ball in the net.

Similar to the way Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson fed off each other.

O’Neill and Shaun Maloney have the players to deploy this kind of formation.

Midfield could consist of Arne Engels and Callum McGregor in the central positions, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rotating in and out.

Maeda could play on the left wing, with Tounekti and back up, and Yang on the right, and Forrest as back up.

Defence could be Alistair Johnston as right back, Trusty and Scales in central defence, with Tierney as left back.

Johnston and Tierney have Ralston and Sarrachi as back ups, as it now looks unlikely that Julian Araujo will return to Celtic.

This is a realistic set up option.

It is a change that Celtic needs and could be what makes the difference in this title run in.

Persisting with 4-3-3 will end this title race very quickly.

Surely at this point, when the entire Celtic support and now the media can see it, Martin O’Neill can see it too?

This is our only realistic chance.

Persisting with a broken formation, which does not work will be the death of us.

We have to hope we see a change at Dens Park next Sunday.

It is the only way forward.

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