MARTIN O’NEILL has a dilemma over Camilo Duran as the Celtic boss prepares his game plan for the Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on Sunday.
The impressive Colombian forward was given a breather in midweek against St Johnstone in Perth when he was left out of the starting line-up.
However, with the champions toiling to get a second goal to help kill off the threat of the home side, Duran was thrown on in the 74th minute as a replacement for the tiring Haissem Hassan who had been one of the team’s top performers on the night.
The six-goal hitman played on the right while Kasper Hogh, returning to action after missing three games through injury, continued in the central attacking role.
SMILES BETTER…Camilo Duran celebrates opening the scoring with a wonder strike in Celtic’s 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead earlier this month.
Now veteran team chief O’Neill must make what could be a game-defining decision.
There have been suggestions he may leave out record signing Hogh and play Duran through the middle.
There is also a school of thought O’Neill could play them both, with Duran feeding off the powerhouse Dane.
One thing is certain: the £6million summer recruit from Qarabag MUST be in the starting line-up.
Former Hoops skipper Scott Brown offered his take on the situation as he said: “I think Kasper Hogh will start. I love Camilo Duran through the middle because he reminds me of Kyogo and Maeda; he wants to get after it.
“He’s probably a better finisher than both of them and I think he’s a fantastic player.
“I do believe he is a number nine.
DOUBLE TROUBLE…Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran celebrate the Dane’s first goal of a first-half hat-trick in Celtic’s 5-1 romp against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Brown, speaking to the Glasgow Times, continued: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Duran was playing through the middle, as well, because the way he presses epitomises the way Celtic have been in the last seven or eight years.
“They’ve got a striker up there who can get after teams, who can cause problems, especially going away to Ibrox.
“I’d love to see Duran going through the middle and getting after people and not letting them settle early doors because pace is key and he will stretch the game.”
The Hoops icon added: “Rangers will try and lock Celtic in at times.
“If Duran’s pace can go in behind, Hassan’s pace can go in behind, they’ve got a lot to worry about at that back line.
“They might sit that a little bit deeper and that can create more gaps in between the midfield and centre-backs.”
O’Neill has plenty to ponder before Sunday’s midday kick-off in Govan.
Who will choose to play in goal between Sam Johnstone and Viljami Sinisalo following the former England international’s faultless display in Perth?
Will Kieran Tierney, an 87th-minute substitute for Liam Scales against the Saints, be fit enough to handle the rigours of a derby encounter?
The astute Irishman will provide the answers an hour or so before battle commences.
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