Craig: Sort defence or crash out
ON the issue of how best to succeed in Europe, Brendan Rodgers is nothing if not consistent. Whether facing a team of similar ability or one of the continent’s superpowers, his side will bend a knee to no one. Given his players are about to embark on group stage football for a third successive year, albeit now in the Europa League, it would take a brave man to take issue with Rodgers’ philosophy. Those willing to do so, though, do not have to look far to build a counter-argument. Memories of seven goals conceded in both Paris and Barcelona suffice. ‘We have had some bad defeats in Europe recently,’ lamented Lisbon Lion Jim Craig. ‘Losing 7-0 to Barcelona’s a prime example. That shouldn’t happen.’ A flying full-back in Celtic’s greatest side, Craig would never advocate today’s team aping Inter Milan’s famous Catenaccio defensive system. But asked if he would endorse a more pragmatic approach against sides of similar or greater ability, he replied: ‘Yes, because you aren’t going to win them all. ‘In the same way as we love teams coming to Celtic Park and think they are going to be affected by the big atmosphere and the big occasion, other teams think that as well — that their ground will be one that Celtic won’t like to come to. ‘It would be the more pragmatic thing to sit on it for a wee while, make sure you absorb the initial charge and then try to take the game to the opposition.’ Rosenborg’s visit tomorrow in the Group B curtain-raiser is not the time for Rodgers’ side to start hiding under the bed. The Norwegian league leaders are a competent outfit but hardly top class. For Celtic to emerge from a section including RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg, three points are imperative. While there was never much between the sides in their four meetings in the past 14 months, Rodgers’ men won both ties. With away goals inconsequential tomorrow, Celtic are expected to go for the jugular. ‘Rosenborg is an excellent game to start with, especially at home,’ Craig added. ‘I don’t think there are any stars in the group, certainly no PSGs or Manchester Citys. Take each game as it comes and make sure you don’t slip up in Scotland. ‘But we now have a big enough pool where we can chop and change a wee bit. In certain games, we can play people who aren’t going to play in European ties but are going to develop in games in Scotland.’ With just five goals in as many league games — Celtic’s driest start since 1993-94 — profligacy in the post-Moussa Dembele era is an obvious concern. Craig though is just as perturbed by a lack of a recognisable defence. ‘Brendan has done a good job but he knows the defence has been rocky in big games. ‘Whether he needs better personnel or the system needs tweaking, that’s up to him, but there’s no doubt we’ve lost more goals than we should against the better teams. ‘Something will need to be done about that.’ Defending may be analysed far more nowadays but there are only so many ways five or six men can combine to prevent a ball landing in a net. Craig feels finding the players best-placed to do that job would be a start. ‘You can’t do it all yourself,’ he said. ‘You’ve got to be good with the guy alongside you. ‘It was different for Billy McNeill as he played on his own and John Clark played in behind him. John didn’t make any effort to play as a second centre-half as he didn’t have the height to go for high balls. That was Billy’s thing. John slid in behind him. ‘In the same way, if the play was coming down Tam Gemmell’s side, I’d slide in. If it was coming down my side, Tam would slide in to help. ‘Celtic have to find a twosome that works well with each other and they’ve got to find a way of getting support to them. ‘Whether that comes from a man from midfield to help out or from one of the full-backs coming across, that’s up to the coaching staff and the manager.’
AN Evening with 2 Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace and Jim Craig, takes place on Monday, October 15 at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.