CHRIS SUTTON has expressed concerns over the standard of Brendan Rodgers’ current Celtic squad – and admitted he is bewildered by the displays of Kieran Tierney and Reo Hatate.
The returning fans’ favourite and the skilful Japanese midfielder have failed to spark in a season where the champions have rarely impressed.
With a crucial period coming up for the Parkhead club – four crucial Premiership games, starting tomorrow at Dundee, a Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against Ibrox opposition and two Europa League outings – Sutton reckons Rodgers will have to turn to his old guard.
The former Hoops goal hero said: “I don’t know what has happened to Reo Hatate this season, but he’s miles off it.
CRUNCH…Reo Hatate gets a pass away as Connor Barron challenges in the dismal goalless derby stalemate at Ibrox in August.
“When he first signed, I thought he’d be the one who would head to England for the biggest money. It’s not come to pass.
“Maybe that’s part of the problem, he’s been there for too long. But none of it matters because, like I say, it’s reset time.
“For Hatate, read Maeda. It doesn’t matter what could and should have occurred as regards moves. You know you are there until January at least and you are needed to raise your standards to the levels of which you have proved already that you are capable of.
“Alistair Johnston is returning and he’s a proven performer of quality on one side, while Brendan Rodgers needs to find a way to start getting the best out of Kieran Tierney on the other.
“I can’t put my finger on why, but he’s not been at it since returning from Arsenal and this situation of not finishing games is an issue.
“Auston Trusty is back from injury, but in a season where the team hasn’t flowed offensively, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales have been two of the best performers at the back.
“Kasper Schmeichel is another experienced head who needs to stand strong right now.
GROUNDED…Kieran Tierney looks concerned as referee Don Robertson checks on him in the scoreless draw in Govan.
“Arne Engels falls between the two stools. He’s neither seasoned for Celtic nor a new boy. But, like Hatate, I don’t know what’s going on with him this term.
“Nobody knows the Belgian’s best position, least of all Rodgers it seems. He needs more from Engels and Hatate, or, if you like, the manager needs to get more out of them. Same goes for the likes of Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “On the park, it’s time for reset. Almost start afresh. And it’s going to need the regular go-to men to spark them because, unfortunately for those lads, that’s the pressurised situation they have been dumped into.
“I don’t need to go over old ground regarding what has gone on since the summer as we all know the story. Quite frankly, it’s been a mess leading to supporters staging protests and having meetings with the hierarchy.
“Through it all, despite being nowhere near it, Celtic have managed to win five and draw the other two of their seven Premiership games to sit just two points off leaders Hearts, a team everyone has been raving about.
“But Celtic can’t keep scraping by. It’ll catch up with them, especially going into a key period which is going to have a massive say in their season. They have to lift it.
“The fact the squad is not in the top form and wasn’t properly strengthened is deeply frustrating to their punters. That’s down to a recruitment policy which was incomprehensible.
AIR WE GO…Tunisian recruit Sebastian Tounekti hurtles down the wing in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
“At the same time, it’s done. The squad is the squad until the New Year and now they are going to have to, somehow, successfully deal with a monumental period.
“Those guys have been let down by their own club in terms of transfer failings and now have to shoulder the big burden until January.”
Switching his attention to the summer recruits, the one-time England international forward, Martin O’Neill’s first buy for the club at £6million from Chelsea in July 2000, added: “Sebastian Tounekti dazzled in his first couple of games, but we don’t know if he has consistency.
BELGIAN PUZZLER…Michel-Ange Balikwisha has yet to convince.
“Marcelo Saracchi looks fine, Michel-Ange Balikwisha not so much. His assist last time out against Motherwell might have boosted him, but then again, maybe not.
“Hand on heart, with the visuals so far, it’s fair to say these guys aren’t at the level of players in recent seasons whose roles they are trying to fill.
“It may come, but I’m hoping it will come rather than being convinced at this precise moment.
“Hence why I believe it’s on the proven performers to step up once again. The ones we do know can shine in the biggest moments for Celtic.
“More than ever, they’ll need to carry it at this crucial time.”
