Why Do Celtic Keep Playing Three Strikers Instead of Natural Wingers?
Aodhán Ó Conchobhair 
Auto Draft
I am struggling to understand why Celtic continue to make life so difficult for themselves in attack.
We have Camilo Durán, Kasper Høgh and Callum Osmand, three players whose natural game is through the middle, yet we keep trying to squeeze them into the same starting XI at the expense of natural width.
What exactly are we trying to achieve?
Martin O’Neill has spoken about adapting his system to accommodate Durán and Høgh, even suggesting that a change from the familiar 4-3-3 could allow them to play together.
But surely the priority should be finding the system that gets the best out of our most effective players, rather than finding a place for everyone regardless of position.
Durán has been one of our most exciting attacking players this season. His movement, pace and finishing make him a constant threat, so why are we repeatedly moving him away from the central role where he can do the most damage?
Osmand has also shown what he can offer, while Høgh is still trying to find his feet after arriving with huge expectations.
The problem is that we cannot keep compromising the whole attack to accommodate three strikers.
Look at the difference when Jota and Haissem Hassan came on against Dundee United. Suddenly, we had players willing to take defenders on, stretch the pitch and deliver dangerous balls into the box. Celtic looked a different team. Jota’s assist for Liam Scales’ equaliser was a perfect example of what natural width can provide.
That is what we have been missing.
I am not suggesting Høgh should be written off, nor that Osmand has no future in the side. We have enough matches to give everyone opportunities.
But there is a difference between accommodating players and building an effective team.
If O’Neill wants two strikers, then commit to a formation that allows them to play centrally. If we are sticking with a front three, give us natural wingers who can stretch defences and create chances.
Celtic should be building the attack around Durán’s strengths, not moving him around to solve a selection problem.
We have attacking talent. We need to stop making it harder than it has to be to get the best out of it.
Key Takeaways
- Celtic struggles in attack due to a lack of natural width, trying to fit players like Durán, Høgh, and Osmand into the same formation.
- Martin O’Neill should prioritise a system that maximises the strengths of key players rather than accommodating everyone.
- Durán’s effective central role is crucial; moving him away limits his impact on the game.
- The positive performance of Jota and Haissem Hassan highlights the importance of having players who can stretch defences and create chances.
- Celtic should build their attack around Durán’s strengths for better results instead of complicating team selection.
