Failure is baked in

Four years after making his debut, that was Dane Murray’s second league appearance for Celtic.  He has also played in five cup and qualifier games.  So let’s be clear, yesterday’s defeat at Tynecastle is not on him.  Dane was about as ready to play in that game as you or I.

Yesterday’s problem in central defence was a consequence of decisions elsewhere.  Look at this analysis by Atreides on Twitter.

Gustaf Lagerbielke sits alongside four others in the elite Ball Playing Defenders category in Liga Portugal.  To give you an idea of  what that means, those others’ Transfermarkt values are: Inacio (Sporting) €45m, Debast (Sporting) €30m, Silva (Benfica) €32m, Kiwior (Porto on loan from Arsenal) €25m.

Lagerbielke hardly broke sweat for Braga at Celtic Park this month.  He has the metrics of a potential top talent and Braga are developing that potential.  He has exactly the profile of central defender we would be delighted if Celtic spent €10m on.  He is sitting among players with values ranging from €25m to €45m, and we had him and threw him away.  Had he been at Tynecastle yesterday, Celtic would probably have won the match.

Then there’s Maik Nawrocki, who returned from injury for his first appearance of the season yesterday, when he strolled through a 0-3 win for Hannover 96 in 2 Bundesliga.  I can only assume that Auston Trusty was on the bench for the third time since 2 October as he is not yet fit enough for even a Kieran Tierney-like return to action.  Although, 24 days after appearing on the bench has the feel of a full preseason to it.

I wish I was confident of things improving in the January transfer window.  Hearts will again spend a fraction of what Celtic spend, but are again likely to get far more for their money.  I doubt that Celtic would even consider signing the profile of players who have put Hearts top of the league.

My biggest worry: if the most important man at the club right does not take responsibility, we will not improve.  No more Honda Civic deflections, please.  Until the boss says “This is my fault”, an excuse will always be found and failure is baked in.

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