JOHAN MJALLBY praised Brendan Rodgers for his switch in time that kept Celtic in the Champions League.
But the former player and assistant manager reckoned the Irishman could have a major defensive problem to solve in the future.
The Hoops boss changed tactics with his team trailing 2-0 and hanging on when he replaced Callum McGregor with Erik Sviatchenko in the 66th minute.
It meant the Dane lining up alongside Kolo Toure and Mikael Lustig in central defence in front of keeper Craig Gordon.
Mjallby looked back at the display against Be’er Sheva in Israel and said: “It wasn’t a good performance at all.
“It was a wise move from Brendan Rodgers to change to a back three. Saidy Janko was struggling really big-time in the back four because he can’t defend.
“So, they really need to look at that.
“I thought they were quite solid for the first 10 minutes before the penalty which, of course, should have been a free-kick.
“Celtic should have got energy from Craig Gordon save, but it looked to me as though Be’er Sheva picked up the game.
“At the first goal from the corner-kick, Scott Brown should maybe have done better.
“He got pushed away by the goalscorer Ben Sahar and then got got caught under the ball when it came in.
“The key thing now is to get better on the ball, the players need to keep it better.
“Of course, the best form of defence is to keep hold of the ball.
“The players reacted well to the manager’s change. It’s not difficult for individuals to reacte to a change of system midway through a game.
“If you play the game, you know the tactics well enough.
“It shouldn’t be a problem at all, just so long as you communicate with the players beside you and those in front of you.
“Celtic were struggling a bit and that was a really good move.
“In the last 15 minutes, they were just stifling the game and there was no problem.
“Now, with qualification to the group stages, it will maybe give the manager a chance to strengthen the team.
“So, the first target has been reached and you must say well done to Brendan and his team.”
