Oxlade-Chamberlain could be difference maker for Celtic in Glasgow Derby

A few days ago I discussed why I thought Martin O’Neill would be better starting with Daizen Maeda over Kelechi Iheanacho against the Rangers…

I also said I would give my views on who I think should start in midfield come Sunday in my next article on Celtic Shorts.

The reason I was pinpointing those two areas is because I feel the defence picks itself now that Alastair Johnston has returned. I’m pretty confident Viljami Sinisalo will start in goals, with a defence comprising of Kieran Tierney, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty and the aforementioned Johnston.

Captain Callum McGregor is a certainty to start now it seems he has overcome the worst of his injury so that leaves two positions next to him in the centre midfield area up for grabs.

There are realistically five contenders here. When all midfielders have been fit, the most common trio that’s been utilised up to this point has been McGregor, Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren. We also have seen Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Reo Hatate and Luke McCowan getting game time during Martin O’Neill’s tenure.

So who should our manager go with on Sunday?

Personally I think the best line up could be a midfield consisting of McGregor, Engels and Oxlade-Chamberlain. Many will disagree with this but I’ll try to explain my reasoning.

The biggest omission here is Benjamin Nygren. The Swede is not only our Player of the Year but our top goal scorer, a feat made even more impressive by the fact he’s never been utilised as a striker this season.

Some people would think it madness to drop your biggest goal threat but for me he just doesn’t offer enough, especially in a game like this which is going to be an all out battle. His goals and assists stats are fantastic this season, and I’ve stated in previous articles (when we were over on The Celtic Star) that we wouldn’t even be still in this title race if it wasn’t for him this season. I just feel like he disappears during games far too often for my liking.

Nygren is great with the ball at his feet, but off it he doesn’t offer enough.

He lacks the physicality necessary for a game like this, a game where Celtic can ill afford any player disappearing.

Instead I would go with Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, who although hasn’t set the heather on fire since arriving in Glasgow, has shown us that he still retains the quality that took him to the very top of the game. I think the Ox provides that goal threat from midfield, but is also capable of providing that bit of physicality that will be necessary.

He will thrive playing in front of a boisterous Celtic Park and I think fitness wise he should be more than capable of giving us a good hour now, then bring on a fresh Nygren, especially if we are in need of a goal.

My other starter in midfield would be Arne Engels, who whilst not always appreciated by all Celtic fans, is a vital cog in a fully functioning engine room. Some people look at Arne’s stats and can’t understand why Nottingham Forest were willing to splash £25m on him in January, and why a host of big European clubs have already identified him as a target this summer.

Engels is what many managers look for in football these days.

He’s a natural athlete who does the simple things well. He will run all day and fully understands his role in our midfield. He’s the legs Callum McGregor no longer has. He will do all the hard work that lets out captain do what he does best, read the game and try and dictate it.

Whilst Engels was injured it was clear to see that no one else in our squad was capable of stepping into that void and McGregor in particular struggled in his absence. He doesn’t always do the flashy stuff that gets you noticed but he is an integral part of our midfield and we suffer in that area when he’s absent.

There have been certain fans calling for starting Reo Hatate instead of the Belgian, and although I think Hatate can be a brilliant footballer, unfortunately he doesn’t show us that enough. A bit like Nygren, I feel like he’s a luxury player who could offer more coming off the bench on Sunday rather than starting.

Luke McCowan has been in good form recently and will be chomping at the bit to try and put his mark on this game but I think there may just be better options available at the moment.

Sebastian Tounekti hasn’t done enough recently to retain his place

On the wings I feel like Sebastian Tounekti hasn’t done enough recently to retain his place so I would love to see Yang replace him out left and James Forrest to start on the right. This is a game suited to players with experience and players willing to work hard. I feel like the ‘flashier’ players such as Nygren, Hatate and Tounekti will have a vital role to play, but imagine that will be better coming off the bench later in the game than from the start.

Only one man matters though and that’s Martin O’Neill. He will know more than anyone what’s needed to get you over the line in a match of such importance and I, like the rest of you, will be giving my full support to the team on Sunday whoever the manager chooses to start with. Whatever happens, let’s get those three points and make sure we take this title race to the last day of the season.

Conall McGinty

Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!