It makes no sense to omit Commons
AEUROPA League point in Amsterdam exposed an obvious truth about Celtic. Something which must now be clear to Ronny Deila. When Kris Commons starts games, the manager has a better football team.
Those disputing the issue are invited to consider the evidence presented against both Aberdeen and Ajax.
A damaging defeat in the Granite City allowed the Pittodrie side to open up a five-point lead at the summit of the Premiership. The loss also cast the Parkhead squad as one starved of creative flair when, for reasons often lost on supporters, Commons is omitted
Leigh Griffiths scored a penalty. But Aberdeen’s equaliser was deserved; they were the better team and crafted the better chances. In contrast, Celtic failed to muster a shot on goal.
Faced with this, Celtic manager Deila had two options at his disposal as he looked to win the game.
One was Nadir Ciftci, an unconvincing figure since joining from Dundee United for £1.5million in the summer. The Turk is still awaiting his first goal in a Celtic shirt and agent Pierre van Hooijdonk says he will only start worrying about the situation if it gets to October and he hasn’t scored. The clock is ticking.
Deil a’ s ot her opti on was Commons, a perennial thorn in Aberdeen’s side.
His first goal for Celtic came in a Hampden League Cup semi-final against the Pittodrie side with a sublime chip. He then struck the fastest strike in Scottish Premier League history against the Reds in March 2013, taking just 12 seconds to hit the net. Against Aberdeen, he has form.
With Virgil van Dijk gone, Commons is once again Celtic’s best player. The closest they have to an elusive Lubo Moravcik playmaker-type. Two seasons ago, he scored 31 goals from midfield and was player of the year. Last term, he managed 16 playing off the striker.
Now Commons struggles to get a start in a poorer team.
Deila and John Collins say a wardrobe door has a lot to answer for. Carrying out DIY in the summer, the door came crashing down and Commons broke a toe.
Denied a proper pre-season, his first competitive action was as a late substitute in the 1-0 home win over Qarabag in a Champions League qualifier. Within seconds of taking to the pitch, he had swung in a corner for Dedryck Boyata to head into the net.
But against Malmo, in the next qualifier, he was out. He made an appearance i n the return in Sweden. But only when Stuart Armstrong limped off injured after 46 minutes. Last season, he was overlooked completely in both qualifiers against Maribor of Slovenia.
There are many reasons for two years of Champions League failure. Suspect defending in the main. But leaving out his best attacking player r ai ses t he suspicion that Deila simply does not fancy him. That Commons, an intelligent, independent spirit, is not the kind of player he wants around the place.
If the most creative player at the club is fit enough to train and sit on the bench, he must also be fit enough to start games.
In a reaction to the Aberdeen setback, Deila got his team selection right against Ajax. Commons teed up a terrific Nir Bitton strike with a clever piece of footwork. He then placed a corner straight on to the head of Mikael Lustig for the second.
But once again the central role behind Griffiths went to Stefan Johansen. The Norwegian was last season’s player of the year. But the early evidence this term makes him long odds to regain his crown. And still he starts every game.
At 32, Commons will never offer t he Duracell qualities of a Johansen. But he did show a willingness in the Amsterdam ArenA, manfully tracking back to double up with Lustig on Ajax star man Anwar El Ghazi.
Deila’s Celtic can — and will — run all day. They harry, they press, they harass opponents at every turn. But without the ability to pass, create and play football it goes to waste.
It’s hard to see what more Commons can do now. He should not be the last name considered for Deila’s starting XI. He really should be the first.
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