Brendan Rodgers’ decision to put Tomoki Iwata in the heart of the Celtic defence on Saturday instead of subbing on Gustaf Lagerbielke caused a real debate amongst the pundits at the weekend.
Cameron Carter-Vickers was taken off when Celtic were 3-0 up against Craig Levein’s side and cruising when Rodgers decided to put on Odin Thiago Holm and move Iwata into the back four.
It was a decision that could prove costly at the end of the season as former Celtic hero, Pat Bonner, suggested that had Lagerbielke been in the back four then St Johnstone would not have scored and therefore negatively impacted the Hoops’ goal difference.
With the title race so tight, goal difference looks like it could come into play and we all know how that has affected title races in the past.
However, Mark Wilson believes he knows why Rodgers decided to leave Laegerbielke on the bench as the former Celtic defender explains the Parkhead gaffer’s reasoning behind his decision.
Wilson said [Superscoreboard], “I think he wanted Holm to go on the pitch and he probably thought that I’m three up now, easy street, Celtic would have loads of the ball and Iwata starting moves from the back.
“That’s what you want.
“He’s clearly miles off it. He probably didn’t deserve it, on merit, to go on. Because that’s what it’s got to be. You’ve got merit playing for the club and that’s the starting eleven.
“But even if you’re not in the starting eleven, then you’ve got to be showing in training that you merit coming off the bench.
“So when you see these guys sitting on the bench and not coming on, they’re sitting on the bench for a reason.
“Now it’s different when you have made a change and you’ve only got one centre half in there against a physical St Johnstone team, you then managed the situation yourself and that’s why Lagerbielke comes in through necessity just to see out the game.”
Needless goals Celtic have conceded in the title race
The Celtic fans will be hoping that the goal conceded to St Johnstone will not come into play in the title race.
But in truth, there have been many occasions where Celtic have conceded where they really shouldn’t have this season. And it’s also cost them points.
Celtic conceded two late goals against Motherwell this season. In the game at Fir Park in September, it thankfully didn’t cost us points as Matt O’Riley’s last-minute strike won the game.
But the goal at Celtic Park in the 1-1 draw proved damaging for Celtic as Joe Hart flapped at a cross which allowed Jonathan Obika to nick one in the 90th minute.
Here are other goals that were preventable that may prove costly for Celtic:
- August 5th: Celtic 4 v 2 Ross County – Cruising at 3-0 and County score in the 60th and 90th minute.
- October 7th: Celtic 3 v 1 Kilmarnock – 2-0 up and Killie score in the 70th minute
- October 22nd: Hearts 1 v 4 Celtic – 3-0 up and Lawrence Shankland scores in 64th minute
- December 6th: Celtic 4 v 1 Hibs – 4-0 up and Christian Doig strikes on the 70th minute
- December 30th: Celtic 2 v 1 Rangers – 2-0 up and allow James Tavernier to score an 88th minute 30-yard free kick
- February 28th: Celtic 7 v Dundee 1 – 7-0 up and Michael Mellon scores on the 84th minute [Transfermarkt]
All goals were conceded late and all goals were completely preventable. Had we not conceded these when we would have been six goals to the good with a one-point lead at the top.
The Celtic fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that the league title won’t come down to goal difference again and be left looking back at these fixtures wondering, ‘What if.’