HOW long before Brendan Rodgers is spotted with semaphore flags on the touchline on matchday?
Or how about an Aldis Lamp as a device to communicate with the Celtic board via flashing signals from the instrument?
If all else fails, the manager of the champions could resort to sending smoke signals, a means of a powwow much favoured by the Red Indians in the old wild west when the phone lines were down.
Alternatively, he could sit at a table at Celtic Park with the club’s powerbrokers and indulge in some meaningful discourse in the manner that has been fairly fashionable since cavemen got fed up grunting at each other.
Once again, dear reader, we are informed by media sources that the Irishman may have been utilising some form of “morse code” to subliminally send a message to the Hoops hierarchy during the 2-0 win over Hibs at Easter Road yesterday.
SENDING OUT THE RIGHT SIGNALS…Brendan Rodgers applauds Celtic during the 2-0 win over Hibs at Easter Road with an ‘aide’ on the touchline.
This apparently took place around the 74th minute when he took off Kyogo Furuhashi, clearly in distress with his annoying and repetitive shoulder problem, and replaced him with Mikey Johnston, who normally plies his trade on the wing.
Most observers were probably unified in the thought that the manager would switch Daizen Maeda, who had already replaced James Forrest 11 minutes earlier, to the central attacking role – the position he occupies for the Japanese international team – to accommodate Johnston on the left flank.
Instead, the wily gaffer ordered the slightly-built Johnston to lead the frontline while he continued with Maeda on the touchline.
Apparently, this was a subtle reminder from the Irishman about the squad’s paucity of players for the No.9 position.
I would say that was as subtle as an earthquake.
END GAME…Kyogo Furuhashi is helped off in the 74th minute.
There is another scenario, of course, that does not require such levels of artfulness to get the message across.
How about the fact that Hibs defender Lewis Miller was beginning to create problems with his strong running from his right-back berth? He had been under the cosh in the first period with a perky James Forrest occupying his thoughts.
After the break, the Australian’s stamina was beginning to emerge. No disrespect to Celtic’s evergreen performer, but his direct opponent is ten years his junior – and it was beginning to become obvious.
Forrest was being bossed by Miller and Rodgers detected that fact, hence the introduction of a fresh pair of legs in Maeda.
Did anyone note that the Japanese speedster hadn’t been on the pitch too long before he clattered into the athletic Hibs player to send him spiralling into the touchline advertising hoardings?
Could have been a complete accident, but to the tired eyes of your humble scribe, it looked like a calling card from Maeda to inform Miller there was a new Bhoy in town.
Cunning, it wasn’t. Effective, it was.
The threat from the hosts was nullified down Celtic’s left as the substitute gave them something else to think about.
ON THE RUN…Daizen Maeda brought fresh energy to Celtic on the left wing.
When Kyogo was forced off, it was only natural to believe there would be a like-for-like switch in the frontline.
Fine player that he is, Johnston will never be famous for his tackling, industry or backtracking. Putting the Republic of Ireland international on the wing may have opened the door for Miller to pick up where he left off before the arrival of Maeda.
That being the case, Johnston would be tasked by taking over Kyogo’s chores and utilising his speed and skills to play on the shoulder of the last defender.
All seems perfectly feasible to me.
Mind you, I don’t possess a Machiavellian mind that leads me to believe there is a snake under every rock.
A blessing? Or a curse?
Maybe someone can message me? Please don’t make it too cryptic.
ALEX GORDON
CALMAC CRACKER SEALS CAPITAL SHOW
