Pundit and former Celtic frontman Andy Walker outlined one of the Hoops’ key issues when recently speaking on the Go Radio Football Show.
The pundit, who made over 100 appearances in green and white, admitted that the absences of midfield duo Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate have been costly in recent matches, with the latter’s goalscoring threat from the middle park being widely missed.
Walker, who recently cast up a concerning narrative regarding manager Brendan Rodgers, made a frank assessment: “You absolutely miss McGregor”, he said.
“You know what he’s done over the last number of years, [he’s] the driving force of Celtic in the middle of the park.
“Hatate gave them another edge with his passing, the odd goal or two as well from Hatate.
“If you want to be successful, you need a goalscoring threat from midfield and I think that’s dropped off a little.”
At the beginning of the season, Matt O’Riley regularly got himself on the scoresheet. Paulo Bernardo chipped in with a few as well around the festive period.
The pair have dropped off in form over the past few weeks and months, though.
Particularly with Kyogo’s downturn this campaign, Rodgers has been reliant on goals from across the pitch and as Walker says, Hatate provides that.
The Japanese midfielder has been pictured in training today, along with Cameron Carter-Vickers, as we await to hear from the manager about the situation regarding his match fitness.
