Jambo disaster will help Celts in longrun–Boyd
TOM BOYD believes Celtic’s defeat at Tynecastle could have galvanised the Parkhead side as they lost their unbeaten domestic record earlier this month.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have since won all three games since the sobering afternoon in the capital, keeping a clean sheet in every one.
And former Celtic captain Boyd thinks the experience provided t he chance to refocus.
“Celtic have proven themselves again totally since the Hearts game,” said Boyd.
“They have come back in three matches against Partick Thistle, Aberdeen and Dundee and look as though they have re-energised themselves.
“The level of performance against Aberdeen was good and the same against Dundee on Boxing Day, in the first-half especially.
“They denied any opportutunities and created plenty for r themselves.
“To me, the team have kicked on again to the sort of levels the manager wants and it might even be that the defeat from Hearts has turned out a good thing. .
“It was a sore one to take at Tynecastle because that was sa a level of performance which hI I had never seen from a Brendan Rodgers team since he arrived at the club.
‘But, from adversity, you can sometimes find things out.
“Celtic haven’t lost a goal since that day and have scored seven and perhaps maybe could have scored quite a few more.”
Meanwhile, Meanwh Boyd would also hav have no qualms about throwing Norwegian kid Kristoffer Ajer into the fray for his first experience of a game against Rangers.
The 19-year-old has impressed in his last two outings with Rodgers enthusiastic about the displays turned in by the Norwegian under-21 internationalist.
“First and foremost when someone goes into that position, you want them to be a defender,” said Boyd.
“Kris is doing that. He has defended well in the past three matches.
“But there is then one asset which he does have which comes from being converted from a midfield player.
“He can step out with the ball at the right times and you can see the breaks that he makes out of the backline and into advanced positions which causes so many problems for opponents.
“Who goes to him? Who picks him up?”