JOHAN MJALLBY insists Martin O’Neill MUST sort out his vulnerable defence if he hopes to win this season’s Premiership title.
The former Celtic hero believes his old club WILL lift their fifth successive crown in a thrilling chase that could go all the way to the wire.
Julian Araujo’s stoppage-time winner in the dramatic 3-2 comeback triumph over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday has placed the champions just three points behind Hearts with a crucial game in hand.
While the Hoops were still celebrating their victory in Ayrshire, the Edinburgh team collapsed to a 4-2 loss at Ibrox to Danny Ruhl’s outfit who are currently in second spot, one point ahead of O’Neill’s men who also have a game advantage over the Govan club.
SWEDE DREAMS…Johan Mjallby celebrates another win as a Celtic player.
The versatile Mjallby, who spent six years as a player at Parkhead after being bought by Jo Venglos from AIK Stockholm for £1.5million in November 1998 and also had four seasons – 2010 to 2014 – as Neil Lennon’s assistant, revealed his concerns about the lack of dependability in the Hoops’ back-four.
Asked if he reckoned his former team could recover sufficiently from the 12 points dropped during Wilfried Nancy’s catastrophic 33 days in charge, Mjallby answered: “I do. I think it’s going to be nip-and-tuck.
“I have a wee inclination that it is going to be decided on the last day.”
But 55-year-old Mjallby warned O’Neill and his backroom staff the defence urgently needs to tighten up – especially at set-plays.
The former Swedish international centre-back or midfielder, speaking to the Premier Sports Scottish Football Social Club, added: “It’s a worry for me. If they are not going to be solid enough when it comes to the run-in, then they are going to struggle to win it.
WATCHING BRIEF…Johan Mjallby during his four-year stint as Neil Lennon’s assistant.
“They are scoring goals, but they can’t really think that is going to be it. They need to get better at set-pieces.
“Every time I watch them at one, I get worried. It looks to me that they are very vulnerable.
“That is something that the manager has to address. There is no question about that.”
Celtic go back into league action against Hibs in the east end of Glasgow on Sunday afternoon.
The team, managed by Brendan Rodgers at the time, drew 0-0 with the Easter Road side in September.
Before that encounter, O’Neill’s men will face Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart at Parkhead on Thursday night.
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