Celtic’s domestic unbeaten run finally came to an end at the weekend, with Hearts trouncing them 4-nil and stopping their 69-game streak.
However, the revelations of the side’s striker Kyle Lafferty could help manager Brendan Rodgers during the January transfer window and subsequently, the Europa League.
The former Rangers striker revealed post-game after getting amongst the goals: “In the first game of the season, I didn’t really fancy them as two centre-halves (Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyatra).
“Obviously, they are great centre-halves, but I knew that when you are up against them and put them under pressure there are mistakes in them.
“I have done that, got a goal and gave other people chances as well.”
While a defender is top of Rodgers’ target when the window opens next month, with RB Leipzig centre-back Marvin Compper reportedly close to a switch, Celtic might have to seal a deal for at least 2 more quality centre-backs.
Boyata has been error-prone all campaign, and the club will only continue to struggle in Europe with such players within their ranks.
The Hoops play Zenit in the Europa League round of 32 in February, and will hope to advance to the next round.
However, that will be impossible with the current options available to them at centre-back, because if a 30-year-old could turn the club’s first-choice duo inside out, they have no chance against the likes of the Russian giants with far better quality attack.
Just like they didn’t for the majority of their Champions League campaign.
