Martin O'Neill develops plan to get the best out of star man as Celtic boss issues update on training scare

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill claims striker Camilo Duran ‘doesn’t mind’ playing off the right despite his preferred position being through the middle.

The Colombian enjoyed a spell playing as a number nine while fellow new striker Kasper Hogh nursed a groin injury, but has returned to the wing since the Dane returned. The tactical switch up from the Celtic coaching staff failed at Ibrox on Sunday - where they were defeated 3-0 by Rangers. Ahead of Celtic’s Europa League opener on Thursday night at home to Ferencvaros and another fixture against their bitter rivals on Sunday, O’Neill is now hatching a plan to get the best out of both.

There were original fears that Duran may be unavailable for Celtic’s next two fixtures as he wasn’t pictured at Lennoxtown today for training. However, O’Neill confirmed this was only because he was in London for Visa purposes, as everyone of a Celtic persuasion breathes a sigh of relief.

O’Neill on ‘getting the best out’ of Duran

Ahead of tomorrow night’s clash, he said: “He (Duran) has played in a number of positions for us. I think his best position is either a centre-forward or just off the centre-forward. It's up to us in the next few months to develop ways to get the very best out of him. That doesn't mean we should be making plans for just one player.

"He did say a couple of weeks ago that he didn't mind where he played but people do have their preference for a position. Eventually, that's what we want to do. We want to try and evolve as a team. We've got some new players in the side who are still settling down, so we've got a lot of work to do."

The 24-year old has already found the target six times in his 10 Celtic appearances and already looks to be a man the Hoops will rely on both domestically in Europe. Duran also has a track record on the biggest stage, with five goals in the Champions League for Qarabag last season.

Duran training scare cleared up

The Colombian’s performances in green and white could lead to him receiving his first ever international call-up for the upcoming break. O’Neill claims this is the reason he wasn’t seen at today’s training session. He added: "Yes he's going to be available (for upcoming games). He had to go down to London about a visa. I think he's been picked up by the Colombia national side, so the only time he could do it was this morning."

The Hoops get their Europa League campaign underway against Hungarian giants Ferencvaros - who won 7-0 in a cup game of their own at the weekend. O’Neill is also well aware of the threat the opposition will carry on Thursday night. He continued: “They will be tough opposition - they have some players that are very, very good. We’ll be striving for three points but so will Ferencvaros.”

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