As Celtic look to defend their title the margin for error is now razor-thin. A club with a storied history and a trophy-laden cabinet, expectations are perennially sky-high. However, the January transfer window has cast a shadow over the team’s aspirations, particularly in the left-back position, due to Greg Taylor’s unfortunate injury. Stepping into the breach is Alexandro Bernabei, the Argentinian defender whose recent performances have left much to be desired.
Bernabei, tasked with filling Taylor’s boots, has so far struggled to adapt to the rigours of Scottish football. In the last two fixtures, his contributions—or lack thereof—have been glaringly evident. Against Aberdeen, his lapses were not just minor blips but significant errors that directly contributed to the opposition’s goal. Bernabei’s lack of positional awareness, coupled with his subpar passing and crossing ability, has raised serious questions about his suitability for Celtic’s high-octane style of play.
The decision by Celtic’s management not to bolster their left-back options in the January transfer window is now looking increasingly like a grave miscalculation. With the league title hanging in the balance, the ramifications of this oversight could be far-reaching. Brendan Rodgers faces a dilemma. Persisting with Bernabei risks further points being dropped—a scenario Celtic can ill afford. Yet, the alternatives are hardly encouraging. With B team left back Mitchell Frame sidelined through injury and Anthony Ralston—a natural right-back—being the only viable option, Celtic’s lack of depth is starkly evident.
This predicament is not just a reflection of a failed transfer strategy but a broader issue of squad planning and management. The possibility of deploying Ralston out of position is a stop-gap solution at best, underscoring a glaring oversight in ensuring positional coverage and depth in the squad.
As things stand, Celtic’s vulnerabilities are laid bare for all to see. The once impenetrable fortress that won the treble nine months ago seems to have developed cracks, not just on the pitch but in the strategic planning off it. The implications of these oversights are not just immediate but could have lasting effects on the team’s ambitions and confidence.
Alexandro is a symptom, not a cause of Celtic’s ills, but if you see him in the starting XI on Wednesday night and beyond, you should be concerned.
