Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata struggled in Celtic’s draw with Rangers at the weekend, so perhaps Brendan Rodgers should consider a change?
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
While he may not have realised it at the time, Brendan Rodgers’ decision to drop Craig Gordon for Dorus De Vries earlier in the season had the ideal impact on the former as once he was given the chance to return to the Celtic side, he had eliminated any complacency from his game and has since looked to be enjoying the best spell of his career.
That strategy may not work every time, but following two Hoops players’ struggles in Sunday’s draw with Rangers, it may be an idea for Rodgers to send a message by recalling one of the team’s fringe players.
Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata have enjoyed some bright spells at times this season, but they certainly disappointed against the Gers.
And while Jozo Simunovic should probably come back in for that reason, it may also be an idea for Rodgers to hand Kolo Toure the chance to make his first appearance for the club since February when the side travel to Dundee this Sunday.
Toure is in the twilight of his career, so is perhaps not as capable of Sviatchenko and Boyata any longer, but Rodgers showing faith in the 35-year-old will show the pair that he is not afraid to throw someone else in if they let their levels drop.
Celtic’s Kolo Toure in action with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi
Of course, with neither Toure or Simunovic not playing so far this month, it would be a gamble to start with both of them against Dundee, but omitting Sviatchenko and Boyata from the starting lineup would send a clear message about what happens if complacency creeps in.
It seemed to work wonders for Craig Gordon, so perhaps Rodgers should adopt the brutal approach once again.
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