Celtic conceded early ground to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership at the weekend and the flat performance against Kilmarnock served only to highlight issues that those of a green and white persuasion have been worried about for some time.
Scott Brown’s resurrection under Brendan Rodgers was nothing short of miraculous, for 18-months before his arrival he looked a shadow of his former self, a spent force on the way out, however, he became a key figure for the club during it’s most dominant spell in history, barely missing a game in the process.
Last season he played 50 games before Covid-19 ended the campaign but there were signs that his usually high levels were beginning to drop, a few more late tackles than usual, and being bypassed by attackers on the counter when he used to be first to the second ball.
Neil Lennon has added Ismaila Soro to the midfield but, as yet, the Ivorian can’t be judged one way or the other because of his lack of game time, however, there is a solution staring the Hoops gaffer in the face – if he is brave enough to make it.
In either of his preferred formations, Lennon plays with three central midfielders (if you include a number ten as a midfielder), Callum McGregor has shown as recently as last season that when he is given the responsibility of playing a deeper role that – if anything – it is his strongest position and for games such as the one against Kilmarnock, two players from Olivier Ntcham, Ryan Christie and Tom Rogic should be considered to give a greater attacking intent.
Should Lennon drop Scott Brown?
Yes
No
If he doesn’t want to take this option, at least give Soro the chance to settle into the first XI, he may not have the same leadership qualities but at some point he has to be trusted, Celtic won the league last season because Lennon was pro-active during the winter break and changed his side’s formation, it would be a bitter irony if they lost it this season because he wasn’t.