Neil Lennon has given an update on Boli Bolingol’s chances of returning to the Celtic first-team having made just one appearance in 2020, as reported by The Daily Record.
The Parkhead gaffer preferred Bolingoli before the Belgian suffered a knee injury which opened the door for Greg Taylor to make a belated impact.
Both full-backs signed for £3million in the summer and although there isn’t much between them, they do offer a different option and skill-set when playing.
Taylor appears more suited to Lennon’s 3-5-2 which has been the go-to shape of 2020 with James Forrest playing at right wing-back, because of Forrest’s more natural attacking approach, the former Kilmarnock man offers a defensive balance on the opposite side.
For Bolingoli, his ability to provide support in attack from a deeper position is best suited to a 4-2-3-1 system which was utilised for most of the first-half of the season and allows Lennon to keep opposition manager’s guessing up until the teams are announced.
Lennon did have some words of encouragement for the Belgian though as he continues to endure a frustrating start to the year:
“He is in and around it but the team is playing well so it’s been difficult for him to break back through. He’s still in my thoughts for between now and the end of the season.”
Taylor is no slouch in the creativity department though with five assists in 14 league appearances compared to Bolingoli’s two in 14, with the additional defensive strength of the Scotsman, it’s easy to see why he continues to get the nod.
Who should be Celtic's first choice left-back (left wing-back) Bolingoli or Taylor?
Bolingoli
Taylor
Whilst he is waiting for his chance, Bolingoli should be working on his weaknesses so that when it does arrive, he grasps it in the same manner as Taylor did with his – with both hands.