Chris Sutton can’t understand why Brendan Rodgers allowed Alexandro Bernabei to leave the club this week given Celtic’s lack of cover in the left back position for the title run-in.
However few Celtic supporters will have any real complaints about the Irishman’s decision, with Bernabei rightfully carrying the can for the recent last minute goal conceded against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park that cost the team two vital points.
The straw that broke the camel’s back
That was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Rodgers and he is paid to make these sort of decisions.
It’s hard to argue with that call although Chris Sutton tried his best this morning.
“The Celtic manager will need to take responsibility for some of his own in recent months that have been equally bewildering. There was another one this week. Why the heck have Celtic allowed Alexandro Bernabei to leave? It just doesn’t make sense to me,” Sutton stated in his weekend column in Daily Record.
The Argentinian is no world beater
“Listen, the Argentinian is no world beater. But he’s a left back. And it might have gone unnoticed at Celtic Park but that is a problem position for them. They only have Greg Taylor now and while he’s been a consistent performer, he’s had some injury problems – and no wonder after being flogged for about three years.
“Celtic are now in a title run in with no cover. It’s madness. If Taylor gets injured or suspended it’ll mean Anthony Ralston – a right back – would need to play, or Liam Scales would need to move across, meaning one of the two centre backs who have not been deemed good enough all season coming in. God help them if Cameron Carter-Vickers pulls up again.
Just makes no sense
“I get Liel Abada’s departure. It’s unfortunate and a hugely disappointing turn of events that have cost Celtic one of their most effective players. But allowing Bernabei to go after the abject failure of bringing in a replacement in January just makes no sense whatsoever,” Sutton argued.
Brendan Rodger has Mitchel Frame available as a left back option and also Liam Scales is perfectly capable of playing in that position. Tony Ralston has also been a recent option coming off the bench and all three understand that the primary job of a left-back is to defend. That was something that Bernabei didn’t always appreciate and it cost Celtic two points against Kilmarnock and also him his place in the manager’s thoughts.
That’s why he was moved on, Chris. There’s no complaints from us!
