Throughout the day at Easter Road, CELTIC struggled to even hit the target; they were unable to find the back of the net.
There wasn’t much activity during the match, thus it was quite dull.
It seemed like a hangover from Wednesday night, but you can’t afford to take days off like this every other week when you have seven games in twenty-one days.
The only alteration to the Champions League starting lineup from midweek was Bernardo replacing Hatate, a move that was also done at the start of the Atletico Madrid game. In essence, the side did not alter.
By the end of the game on Wednesday, it was clear that the team was worn out. Brendan Rodgers made a brave choice by sticking with the same lineup as a result.
Three important things to remember from Celtic’s goalless draw with Hibs at Easter Road are as follows:
Reversing Direction
It was annoying how often the ball was passed back rather than looking for attacking options like Bernardo or O’Riley. Rather than trying to advance the play or pass it to the wings, the ball was repeatedly returned to the Celtic defense.
Ange Postecoglou’s reaction on the touchline is something one can only speculate about.
Absent Hatate
Reo Hatate’s remarkable vision and dexterity were on full show last week at Tynecastle. Hatate’s special abilities were badly missed in today’s encounter, despite Bernardo giving a respectable effort, highlighting his significance to the team.
Issues with Squad Depth
Even though Celtic currently has a sizable roster and few injuries, the level of their bench play tonight was far from exceptional. It seemed like none of the replacements could alter the course of the match. Forrest, Turnbull, Oh, Johnston, and Ralston—a forced substitution—were unable to add any quality to the game when they entered. This situation calls into question the efficacy of the summer transfer window and highlights the need for adjustments in the approaching winter transfer season.
