Balance shifted to runners unconvincing with the ball

After so much slow build-up play this season, and so many misplaced passes, the sight of Roberts, Christie, Allan and Griffiths pinging the ball around the field was a revelation. I know the game was won before the three substitutes grabbed hold of things, and that there are vastly more challenging scenarios than Inverness at home, but the new blood have asked a big question of the incumbent three attacking midfielders.

The comfort on the ball the three substitutes brought was also contagious, Lustig looked less like a panicked fawn as he confidently back-heeled the ball into space.

The balance in the team has shifted damagingly in favour of players who can run, or perhaps jump, but who are unconvincing with the ball at their feet. So much so, Craig Gordon clears the ball up the field, instead of playing-in Bitton or a central defender, more than we’ve seen from a Celtic keeper in decades.

Christie, Roberts and Allan will not change this overnight (the latter’s misplaced pass against Ajax was costly), but they are doing enough to justify some faith in their selection. New Douglas Park should be an ideal opportunity to strut their stuff.