Rodgers should now drop Celtic’s terrible 3/10 flop

Celtic had been left annoyed on Sunday as they had been crushed 3-2 in a dramatic match by their fierce Glasgow rivals within the Scottish Premiership at Parkhead.

The Hoops discovered themselves 2-0 down at half-time, due to targets from midfielders Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande, however Brendan Rodgers bought an awesome response out of his aspect.

Daizen Maeda scored shortly after the beginning of the second half earlier than Reo Hatate finally equalised for the league leaders with a cute end into the far nook to make it 2-2.

Sadly, although, all three factors had been claimed by the away crew when Hamza Igamane unleashed a spectacular effort on the half-volley to beat Kasper Schmeichel within the 88th minute.

It was a deeply disappointing afternoon for the Hoops, who missed out on the prospect to maneuver 19 factors clear on the high of the desk, however there have been some positives to take out of the sport.

Auston Trusty and Liam Scales being unavailable for choice via harm offered Maik Nawrocki with an opportunity to point out Rodgers what he’s able to, and the Polish titan stepped up with a formidable exhibiting.

Maik Nawrocki’s efficiency in opposition to Rangers

It could appear unusual to be praising a central defender off the again of 3-2 defeat at house to a rival.

Nonetheless, the previous Legia Warsaw man deserves nice credit score for his calm show within the storm of a poor crew efficiency.

Nawrocki had solely performed 23 minutes throughout two appearances within the home cups this season, previous to kick-off on Sunday, and this meant that he got here into the match with none confidence or match sharpness.

It’s honest to say that Rodgers has not been too eager on the Polish centre-back this season, because the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Trusty, and Scales have all been most well-liked forward of him, however his efficiency in opposition to Rangers might change the supervisor’s ideas on him.

While others faltered and withered below the stress from the away aspect, Nawrocki stood sturdy to win 70% (7/10) of his defensive duels and remained composed in possession to finish 93% of his tried passes.

As you may see within the desk above, he didn’t get dribbled previous a single time in the whole match and browse the sport effectively to make 4 interceptions for his aspect.

There was additionally little or no that he might have finished about any of the three targets that had been conceded, as Jeffrey Schlupp was crushed for the primary, Carter-Vickers let the ball go over him for the second, and Alistair Johnston slipped and missed his problem for the third.

Nawrocki outshone quite a lot of his teammates, who’ve been regulars this season while he has watched on from the sidelines, and a kind of was winger Nicolas Kuhn.

Nicolas Kuhn’s efficiency in opposition to Rangers

Rodgers opted to go together with Kuhn on the suitable of the entrance three from the beginning in opposition to the Gers, with Maeda within the center and Jota on the left flank.

Sadly, the German wizard was unable to showcase the most effective of his magical qualities on the high finish of the pitch for the Hoops, as he was battled out of the sport by Ridvan Yilmaz.

GlasgowWorld handed the ahead a dismal participant ranking of three/10 and wrote that ‘Yilmaz had him in his pocket’, which is backed up by his statistics. The previous Speedy Vienna winger was far too weak in bodily battles all through the primary half, dropping 5 of his seven duels. He was additionally lapse in possession, dropping the ball as soon as each 5 minutes.

Talking on the Sky Sports activities commentary, former Celtic ahead Chris Sutton criticised Kuhn for “taking the simple choice” too typically when in possession, by passing the ball on as a substitute of turning to run at Yilmaz or Leon Balogun to make one thing occur for the crew.

Rodgers opted to haul the left-footed ace off on the break, changing him with Adam Idah, and that allowed Jota to maneuver over to the suitable aspect, the place he made an virtually immediate impression.

As you may see within the clip above, Jota bought his head down and beat Yilmaz for tempo down the wing to ship an excellent cross for Maeda, somewhat than taking the ‘straightforward choice’ as Kuhn did within the first 45.

Why Celtic ought to drop Nicolas Kuhn

With this efficiency in thoughts, Rodgers should ruthlessly bin the German sensation from the beginning line-up when Hearts come to Parkhead within the Premiership on the opposite aspect of the worldwide break.

Kuhn’s no-show in opposition to Rangers on Sunday ought to be sufficient to see him dropped from the aspect, as a result of Jota provided greater than him inside minutes of switching into his place.

The 25-year-old star’s current performances in home soccer have been regarding. He has solely recorded one help, having failed to attain, in his final seven matches within the SFA Cup and Premiership mixed, along with his final league aim coming in opposition to Dundee in the beginning of February.

Due to this fact, Rodgers ought to look to take him out of the firing line after the worldwide break to, hopefully, give him a kick to assist him to get again to his greatest on the pitch for Celtic, as a result of the Hoops know simply how good the winger will be.

As you may see within the desk above, Kuhn does have the standard to be an actual difference-maker within the closing third as each a scorer and a creator of targets when he’s at his greatest.

Sadly, the Scottish giants haven’t seen him at his greatest in current weeks in home motion, and definitely not within the first-half in opposition to Rangers this weekend.

Now, Rodgers should bin the three/10 dud from the beginning XI for the conflict with Hearts, shifting Jota over to the suitable to interchange him, after which hope that it’ll inspire Kuhn to bounce again and return to the most effective model of himself in a Celtic jersey earlier than the top of the season.