Image source, SNS
Image caption, Martin O’Neill’s side were well beaten at Ibrox
- Published3 minutes ago
When Sebastian Tounekti’s name appeared on the Celtic teamsheet for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, the collective groan from supporters could have drowned out the 50,000 strong Ibrox crowd.
With Yang Hyun-jun away on international duty, Tounekti made just his second start of the season in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over St Johnstone, with former Hoops goalkeeper Pat Bonner describing his first-half performance in Perth as “awful”.
The Tunisia winger lost possession 23 times against Simo Valakari’s side – only opposition keeper Toby Steward coughed up possession more.
Tounekti toiled again at Ibrox up against Rangers right-back Dujon Sterling, so much so that he was hooked at half-time and replaced by Egypt international Haissem Hassan, who joined Celtic from Real Oviedo this summer in a deal reportedly worth up to Β£9m.
The substitution made little difference as Celtic slumped to a 3-0 defeat, having been one down at the break.
“That was a question, should Tounekti start or not?” Bonner said.
“O’Neill went with him but I think I think he now realises that maybe he’s not the player that’s going to be dominant in this team.
“Sterling absolutely dominated him, and Sterling was playing almost like a third centre-half.
“Out of all of the wingers we’ve seen, I think Hassan should have started. He’s maybe not 100 per cent match fit but you pay big money for these guys they have to perform.”
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‘Freezing’ Hogh, changes in defence & rusty Johnstone
Tounekti’s spot in Celtic’s front three was not the only attacking quandary for O’Neill going into the game.
Camilo Duran had excelled through the middle while Kasper Hogh – another big-money summer signing – was out injured.
But with Hogh fit again, the Dane started at McDiarmid Park and led the line again at Ibrox, with Duran moved out wide.
Both struggled to make an impact and former Rangers man Andy Halliday was scathing in his assessment of Hogh’s performance.
“Kasper Hogh has blown hot and cold for Celtic so far, but he was absolutely freezing today,” Halliday said on Premier Sports.
“On the ball, off the ball – no desire, no willingness to get back and defend for his team.”
After Hogh was brought off on 64 minutes, Duran was deployed through the middle, only to be substituted himself 13 minutes later for Shim Mheuka.
O’Neill also opted to break up the centre-back pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty that had started seven of Celtic’s nine games this season. Kieran Tierney returned at left-back and Liam Scales shifted inside to partner Carter-Vickers.
On-loan Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johstone, who also started at St Johnstone, was perhaps a surprise inclusion given Viljami Sinisalo has kept four clean sheets in his eight appearances this season.
Despite some sharp saves in Perth, the 33-year-old looked rusty at Ibrox, maybe unsurprising given it was just his second competitive appearance since March.
Rangers striker Kevin Kelsy should have scored when Johnstone’s clearance went straight to him early on and Kim Min-Su had an effort cleared off the line by Scales after the four-time England international palmed a cross into his path.
Johnstone spent the rest of the game being goaded by Rangers supporters every time he was on the ball.
“If you’ve been beaten in a game you always think about selection,” manager O’Neill said post-match.
“I’ll think about my own part in proceedings first of all and then we’ll see. I wanted people to experience this atmosphere and they certainly did that today.”
What the fans said
Gordy: Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney got team selection and formation totally wrong. It was obvious Rangers would overload the midfield and fight for the second ball, physically and mentally we were not up to the task. Colby Donovan, Mika Baur and especially Sebastian Tounekti were not up to the standard needed to play for us.
Moe: Team selection was wrong, Viljami Sinisalo should have played he had the experience already.
Phillip: Worst performance in five years, a mess from the get go starting with leaving Hassan out. Johnstone a disaster in goal, Sinisalo needs to go back in. A good look in the mirror needed and midfield signings in January.
Willie: Shocking team selection from the start.
Biggar: Martin O’Neill got two big team selection decisions wrong. Tounekti shouldn’t be anywhere near the Celtic first team. Hassan should’ve started on the right, with Duran on the left. Sinisalo should’ve been back in goal, very harsh on him to lose his starting place.
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- Published18 June 2023
