Youth versus experience in Old Firm deals
Rangers and Celtic look like they’re both determined to fire their way to the title. The Old Firm clubs wasted no time in beefing up their attacking options as soon as the transfer window opened.
Rangers took former England striker Jermain Defoe on loan for 18 months from Bournemouth.
Celtic took a more youthful approach by recruiting Oliver Burke, Timothy Weah and Vakoun Issouf Bayo. How bosses Steven Gerrard and Brendan Rodgers will deploy these new arrivals is the big question.
Both men tend to favour playing one striker – it’s a formation that has dominated football in recent years.
But former Celtic and Scotland hitman Frank Mcavennie believes it might be time for one of the Glasgow giants to field a two-pronged attack.
He reckons Defoe could easily link-up with Alfredo Morelos in the Rangers’ side – a mouth-watering prospect for fans.
Mcavennie said: “I am a great believer in two up front. The two of them can work together. Morelos puts a shift in. He is a bit of pest, which is great in a striker.
“If he leaves Defoe up front then just let him do his work in the box. He will score goals, he will definitely score goals. I think it will work if they go 4-4-2.” Mcavennie believes Celtic could adopt a more direct approach in the second half of the season.
Where Rangers have signed 36-yearold Defoe, the champions have gone for youth in 18-year-old Weah and 21-yearold Bayo.
He went on: “I think Bayo looks a great player from what I have seen. “Weah reminded me a bit of myself. Brendan is wanting to get things over the top. I haven’t seen that for years.
“Brendan thinks he has got the legs to go over the top and turn them around. “Maybe he is going to play two up as well. It’s a formation that went out of fashion, but I think it can work.
“I hope Celtic’s way, going for youth, is successful.
“The game’s all about pace and movement.
“They still need a full-back and a centre-back.
“Brendan needs cover for Lustig. For European football, you need an experienced full-back.”