Celtic accused of being 'naive' tactically as star looked to have something 'playing on his mind' at Ibrox

Pundit Michael Stewart claims Celtic were tactically ‘naive’ during large portions of their defeat to Rangers as he also questions the temperament of star forward Camilo Duran.

The Hoops lost their individual battles all over the pitch and created next to nothing in the Premier Sports Cup semi final. They do however now have two home games to put it right - against Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday and against Rangers again in the Premiership on Sunday. Former Hearts captain Stewart reckons their approach to these matches before the international break will be fascinating.

There were a few selection headaches Martin O’Neill had to ponder despite going into Sunday with a flawless domestic record. Duran had been enjoying life playing in his preferred position through the middle in fellow new striker Kasper Hogh’s absence but returned to the right against Rangers with a lot less joy. This left no room for Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan in the starting XI despite impressing in recent weeks.

At the other end of the pitch, there was much debate about whether Old Firm experienced Viljami Sinisalo or new Wolves loanee Sam Johnstone would start between the sticks. O’Neill chose the latter in another decision which didn’t go to plan. Particularly from goal kicks, Stewart thinks Celtic were tactically all over the place.

Stewart on Celtic’s tactics

Speaking on Premier Sports’ Social Club, he said: “They've (Celtic) been out-muscled and physically dominated by the opponent. Physically, athletically, where the momentum's against them and they've had no real way of being able to counter it. I look at the game (against Rangers) and I think to myself, it was so naive, particularly in the second half where Rangers were so firmly on top There was a spell where Celtic must’ve taken at least half a dozen by-kicks inside their box and Rangers were set up with probably four players at least on the edge of the box ready to just jump on them.

“The goalkeepers already is having a shaky game. The defenders are getting the ball passed to them and they've got Rangers players literally launching themselves at them and then even if they're able to slide the ball into midfield, the midfield are getting hounded as well. You've got a bye kick - which is the perfect time to go and squeeze the game! You need to gain a bit of territory first so that you can then stretch the game a little bit - then you can get back to trying to pass the ball into those technicians that are in the middle.”

Duran looked as if there ‘something on his mind’

Celtic’s £6m Colombian striker looked visibly frustrated at times in what was a bad day at the office all round. Stewart thinks that playing away from his natural position caused this. He continued: “Kasper Hogh has now had a number of games where he's looked off it, big games. Then you've got that dynamic of Duran who, I've got to say, initially playing off that right-hand side looked lively, looked energised, looked really good. But he looked to me on Sunday as if the fact he wasn't playing through the middle was playing on his mind a little bit.

“From Celtic's perspective here, that dynamic is now not as certain as it looked. They're trying to now find how do you get all that together. Hassan looks like a guy you're going to start but now it's a case of what side are you playing Hassan on, then where's Duran going to play. Is Kasper Hogh going to lead the line again for their next two games this week?”

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