Speaking on the Open Goal YouTube Channel, Barry Ferguson has claimed that he was shocked by Neil Lennon’s decision to bring Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths off against Rangers at the weekend.
Celtic failed to find the back of the net against their arch rivals on Saturday, but throughout the game it has to be said that Griffiths looked the most likely for the Bhoys.
Indeed, the Scotland international was a menace up top, forcing two fantastic saves from Allan McGregor during the game.
However, for one reason or another he was brought off in the 65th minute, and that’s a decision that Ferguson couldn’t quite get his head around.
“I was just about to say, I was shocked when he took Griffiths off,” Ferguson said.
“I think Lennon might look back at that and think, ‘should I have done that?’ I thought those two (Griffiths and Edouard) again looked a danger all game.
“When you see those two coming in on the teamsheet at 11, you’re right away thinking ‘yeah’, you’ve seen it in the previous two or three games, they’re starting to link up, they know each other’s game, they know each other those two.”
Lennon’s decision to sub Griffiths off doesn’t look like the smartest move in hindsight.
The Celtic gaffer really needed all three points at Ibrox to pile the pressure on Rangers, but bringing Griffiths off removed perhaps the Bhoys’ most potent attacking threat on the day.
When you combine that with the fact he was playing so well alongside Odsonne Edouard and the decision becomes even more baffling.
Celtic are now 19 points off the pace, and they’re going to have to be pretty much perfect if they’re going to reel Rangers in, and in order for that to happen, Lennon can’t afford to make any more questionable decisions, especially with reports a few weeks ago claiming that Celtic are already looking at potential replacements.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
