Celtic drew 0-0 against Ibrox club Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Former Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan has claimed in his BT Sport column that Celtic pair Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele’s performances this season are far worse from their efforts in 2016-17.
This comes after Celtic drew 0-0 with Old Firm rivals Rangers, even though they were expected to dominate the match against Graeme Murty’s side and secure a convincing home win at Parkhead.
Instead, the Gers were tactically astute and had chances to win the game in a match that saw goalkeepers Wes Foderingham and Craig Gordon shine. Sinclair and Alfredo Morelos were both guilty of missing huge chances.
Craigan criticised Sinclair, stating he is struggling to reproduce his 2016-17 form, while also criticising Demble by stating that Brighton’s reported £18million bid shows his drop in form after being linked with £35million moves last season.
“Sinclair looks a shadow of the player he was last season and almost looks like he’s void of confidence for some reason,” Craigan said. “It’s been a real fall from grace after dominating the awards domestically last year.
“His form will be a real concern for Brendan Rodgers and maybe the mid-season break has come at the right time for him and Celtic. Moussa Dembele is another worry as his body language on the pitch hasn’t been good enough.
“This time last year he was being spoken about around the £30-£35 million mark after starring in the Champions League with Zinedine Zidane was raving about his potential.
“If reports where to be believed Brighton had enquired about him pre-Christmas, with a figure of £18 million being mentioned, a price indicative of his performances this season.”
Sinclair, 28, has still managed to score 15 goals and lay on 13 assists in 34 league and cup encounters, while linked-away striker Dembele has failed to prove as consistent this time around.
The Frenchman’s drop in form has seen Brendan Rodgers vigorously rotate the use of his strikers, with Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths getting just as much opportunity of late.
Celtic are next in action after the winter break, when they go up against Brechin City in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on January 20.
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