Sometimes a supporter makes an observation that sums up a football match better than anything you’ll hear from the television pundits.
During Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Hibs, a Bhoycie Bus viewer delivered an absolute beauty.
“Høgh makes easy chances look difficult while Durán makes difficult chances look simple.”
I couldn’t have put it better myself.
And after watching both players at Easter Road, I’m beginning to think Celtic have two very talented forwards with two completely different problems.
One needs to stop overthinking. The other needs to get over himself.
Best Performance Of The Season? Come On, Martin!
Martin O’Neill reckons Celtic produced their best performance of the season.
I can understand his enthusiasm. Celtic responded well to going behind, created opportunities and deserved their victory.
However, I’m not convinced.
The weather conditions were absolutely dreadful, and I thought they acted as a leveller. Neither team could play the sort of controlled football they’d have wanted.
Celtic handled those circumstances better, which deserves recognition.
But let’s not get carried away.
We’ve seen some terrific attacking football this season, particularly against Hearts. We’ve also seen performances that have left supporters wondering what on earth Celtic were trying to achieve.
Today was a good win in difficult conditions.
Our best performance? Not for me.
Kasper Høgh, Stop Thinking About The Price Tag
I like Kasper Høgh. I really do.
There’s a reason Celtic paid a reported £11 million for him. His goalscoring record at Bodø/Glimt demonstrated that he knows how to finish.
Yet right now, he looks like somebody trying to solve a mathematical equation every time the ball arrives in the penalty area.
Today was another example.
Opportunities presented themselves, including one excellent close-range chance, and Kasper couldn’t convert.
He’s making things unnecessarily complicated.
I don’t believe he’s suddenly forgotten how to score goals. Nor do I think the ability that attracted Celtic has mysteriously disappeared.
But he needs to trust his instincts.
Stop worrying about the perfect touch. Stop trying to manufacture the perfect finish.
You’re a striker, Kasper. Do what made Celtic spend that money in the first place.
Camilo Durán, Get Over Yourself!
Then we have Camilo Durán.
What an extraordinary contrast.
Give Høgh a straightforward opportunity and he can make it look difficult. Give Durán something awkward from outside the penalty area and he’ll find a way to put it in the net.
Today’s winner was another wonderful example of his natural finishing ability.
But there’s something else I want to address.
I didn’t particularly like Durán’s body language during the first half against Celta Vigo, even when he was playing through the middle.
Today, with Høgh starting centrally and Durán moved towards the right, I thought he looked frustrated again.
Now, that’s my interpretation. I’m not claiming to know what the boy is thinking.
However, if playing out wide is bothering him, he needs to get over it.
Camilo, you’re playing for Celtic Football Club!
Only a couple of years ago, you were playing in Portugal’s lower divisions. You’ve worked your way through Portimonense and Qarabağ to reach the biggest opportunity of your career.
That’s a fantastic achievement.
But Celtic aren’t here to accommodate anybody’s preferred position at the expense of the team.
You’ve scored goals playing wide. You’ve scored goals through the middle.
Your versatility should be celebrated, not treated like a punishment.
Two Players I Like, Two Problems To Solve
Here’s the funny thing. I genuinely love aspects of both players.
Høgh has the movement and goalscoring pedigree to become a serious asset.
Durán possesses that instinctive brilliance that can turn a difficult afternoon into three points.
Neither is the finished article, and both have something to prove.
Kasper needs to relax in front of goal.
Camilo needs to embrace whatever responsibility the manager gives him.
Ultimately, they should be working in tandem, regardless of how O’Neill decides to arrange his attack.
Celtic won today. That’s what matters.
But there’s potentially so much more to come from these two.
Høgh needs to remember how easy goalscoring can be. Durán needs to remember how fortunate he is to be doing it for Celtic.
Now get on with it, boys.
Hogh looks absolutely awful. Duran needs to get over his petted lip because there’s a real player there. Nygren is a total passenger and the less said about Scales the better. Lastly O’Neill once again talking utter pish.