Celtic are looking to make it six wins in a row as they face St Mirren in the Premiership this weekend after beating AZ Alkmaar 2-0 earlier in the week.
Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops have won their last five matches in all competitions. They beat Jablonec 4-2 and 3-0, Hearts 3-2, Dundee 6-0 and AZ Alkmaar 2-0, scoring 18 goals in those five games.
The Australian will be hoping that his side can continue their eye-catching form to secure a second successive win in the league to pile the pressure on their arch-rivals Rangers.
Should Abada be dropped?
Yes
No
On the Chalkboard
Despite beating AZ Alkmaar without conceding a goal, there was one negative to come out of the game, as unfortunately Liel Abada was unable to make the most of his opportunity to impress. Postecoglou brought him into the starting XI after missing the two games prior to the Europa League clash and the winger failed to justify his head coach’s decision.
The teenage winger was given the lowest FotMob score in the starting XI as he was handed a rating of 6.5/10. In 58 minutes on the pitch, he did not create a single chance for his teammates and lost four of his seven duels. This, along with his withdrawal before the hour mark, suggests that he had a poor outing.
Therefore, the youngster should be taken back out of the spotlight for this match against St Mirren. Postecoglou should give him a chance to work hard in training to ensure that he is 100% ready to take his next opportunity, rather than picking him this weekend and potentially causing him to try too hard in an attempt to make up for the Alkmaar showing.
Celtic’s manager should now unleash Odsonne Edouard on St Mirren after the Frenchman dropped out of the XI in midweek. He is a proven performer in the Premiership and he should return to the team, with Kyogo Furuhashi moved back into a wide position to support the 23-year-old.
Former Hoops forward Frank McGarvey commented on Edouard last year and claimed that he ‘magic in his feet’. He said: “I just love watching Edouard. He has that bit of magic in his feet, and he reminds me of Charlie Nicholas.
“You just know if he gets the ball just outside of the box the other team are in trouble. Edouard has that ability to produce something out of nothing because he has such quick feet.”
The £19k-per-week dynamo has used that magic to score 58 goals and provide 26 assists in 102 league matches for Celtic in his career. This illustrates the level of quality Postecoglou has to call upon and why he should reinstate Edouard into the starting XI following Abada’s frustrating display against AZ Alkmaar.
AND in other news, Celtic must seal deal for 6ft 3 colossus who can “cause havoc”, Ange would love him…