When I saw the lineup, with Celtic going three at the back, I concluded that Wilfried Nancy’s concerns after watching Celtic struggle at home to Dundee on Wednesday were as acute as my own. In a well-operating side, changing formation is an unnecessary risk. In a team which for long periods recently against Dundee, Hibs and St Mirren looked as fragile as a bubble, change is what the new manager was brought in to do.
It started so well. Hearts were unable to take possession inside the Celtic half. Celtic’s extra man in midfield made them look like a pack, hunting and winning the ball within seconds of being dispossessed. The visitors only progress up-field relied on errors from the home side. Poor defending led to both goals, but while Celtic were in control of the game until the opening goal two minutes before the break, there were worrying signs for Nancy.
Daizen Maeda is not a centre forward. His purple patch in that position last season was a small sample size, the legacy effects of which linger. Twice he could have put Celtic ahead in the early stages of the game. Sebastian Tounekti can do little more to earn an assist than take a 50-yard pass on his chest and roll it in front of a striker who is clean through.
Daizen is our most valuable asset and is suited to play the position when Celtic are forced to defend against top sides in Europe, but is a poor fit there domestically. Play Daizen on the right and Johnny Kenny through the middle. Kelechi Iheanacho will soon be available for consideration to add options.
I am sure Celtic will persist with the back three, but there is an obvious modification required. As well as his normal left-back roll, Kieran Tierney has played wingback, left wing and right-back. He is significantly more suited to playing on the right of a back three than Auston Trusty. Trusty is not a player to forage down either wing, he should play in the middle. That would allow Liam Scales – who has played left-back – to play on the left.
Despite the lacklustre performance, had Kenny’s header or the resultant shot from Reo Hatate gone in, Celtic would not have lost the game. The manager has a week (and a lesser-important Europa League game) to fine-tune the system before Sunday’s vastly-important League Cup Final.
You and I have discussed new Celtic managers here when they started with defeats to Hearts (2021) and Lincoln Red Imps (2016). Thankfully we were not around to record our thoughts after defeats to Hibernian and Dunfermline in 1997. Results like these have been a consistent marker of growth.
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An Tearmann on 9th December 2025 9:41 am
God rest Dixie Dean’s rip 🙏
HH
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Hi An Tearmann where did you see this reported? I can’t find it reported anywhere
An Tearmann on 9th December 2025 9:43 am
Celtic 6 Hibs 1
I was at that game and remember it well . Dixie played a stormer . Highlight for me was his goal celebration when he thought about doing an Efe Ambrose somersault but realised he couldnae and did a forward roll instead ! He was carrying a few too many pounds for the Somersault -))))
Like the ‘well intentioned criticism” some directed at Rodgers on a daily basis. . .. . . .
We see you.
I heard this morning McPhail bhoy
Sad news indeed
https://x.com/search?q=dixie%20deans
Hope all well bout the town
HH
An Tearmann
Ok yes as you say sorry to hear that, may he rest in peace
Maolmuire O Muirgheasa @ 11:16 am,
Like our Chairman staring at the screen in disjust when Celtic score a goal.
They think we are that sad….
They are to be pitied…
Hail Hail
McPhailbhoy
There is nothing official yet from the club yet, Motherwell fc are on that list above.
Ach another part of my childhood gone.
The summer of 72 was spent somersaulting badly repeating his hatrick.
HH
Sad news about John’ Dixie’ Deans.Scorer of Scottish football’s first goal on a Sunday v Clydebank 1974.Dixie scored three that day.
At approx this stage last season (after 16 games) we had 44 points and a goal difference of +40 (GF 44, GA 4).
At the moment (after 15 games), we have 32 points and a goal difference of +14 (For 25 against 11).
At the same stage Hearts had 16 points and a goal difference of -7. (having played 2 more games than us).
This season they have 35 points and a GD of
+19.
To state the obvious, goals win games and the team with the best GD normally wins the league. It is a good prediction indicator.
Sad news about Dixie Deans – one of my first Celtic heros…
Him and King Kenny playing in the same forward line…
We were spoiled rotten…
Thoughts and prayers with John Dean, family and friends.
May he R.I.P.
Hail Hail
Remember an end of season game at Celtic Park , pretty sure it was against Kilmarnock for the league trophy presentation. At half time there was a kick about with ex-players and the game went to penalties. The goalposts were 5 a side goals , as Dixie ran up to take his kick , 2 of the players retreated and held the posts up as high as they could , pretty sure Dixie again cleared the bar , only just mind you.
Great memories, always thought the wee fella was a handful and absolutely committed to the jersey.
HH
new article posted.
Sad to hear about Dixie Deans passing. A childhood hero of mine.
Thanks for all the goals son. HH
Dixie was stocky and strong . He wouldn’t be knocked off the ball as easily as some of the forwards we’ve had since .