Celtic’s title hopes suffered a major blow after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Hibernian at Easter Road, a result that has sparked serious concerns among fans and analysts. Football pundit Alan Shearer has pinpointed two players Greg Taylor and Arne Engels as weak links in Celtic’s squad, warning that their performances could cost the Hoops the Scottish Premiership title if their form does not improve.
A Costly Defeat for Celtic
The loss to Hibernian has tightened the title race, leaving Celtic under intense pressure to regain momentum. The match started disastrously for Brendan Rodgers’ side, with Hibs’ Josh Campbell scoring in just the second minute after a defensive lapse from Celtic. The home side doubled their lead just before halftime, with Campbell once again finding the net.
Celtic attempted to mount a comeback in the second half, and Daizen Maeda thought he had pulled a goal back, but VAR controversially ruled it out for offside. Despite their efforts, the Hoops failed to break down a resolute Hibernian defense, leaving them empty-handed.
With Rangers pushing hard to close the gap, this defeat has raised concerns over Celtic’s ability to hold onto their title, especially with key defensive and midfield weaknesses becoming increasingly evident.
Alan Shearer’s Key Concerns: Greg Taylor and Arne Engels
Alan Shearer did not mince words when analyzing Celtic’s performance, particularly focusing on the struggles of left-back Greg Taylor and midfielder Arne Engels.
1. Greg Taylor’s Defensive Struggles
Shearer highlighted Taylor’s poor defensive positioning and inability to deal with Hibernian’s wingers as a major issue. Both of Campbell’s goals came from Celtic’s left side, an area where Taylor was caught out of position multiple times.
“Defending like that in a title race is unacceptable. Taylor was too slow to react, and it cost Celtic dearly. When you’re playing for a team expected to win the league, you can’t afford to be that vulnerable at the back,” Shearer stated.
Taylor’s struggles this season have been a recurring problem, with teams frequently targeting Celtic’s left side. If Rodgers cannot find a way to reinforce this position, it could become a major weakness in crucial matches ahead.
2. Arne Engels’ Lack of Defensive Cover
In midfield, Shearer pointed to Arne Engels as another liability. The young midfielder failed to provide adequate defensive cover, often leaving gaps that Hibernian exploited. His lack of positioning awareness put additional pressure on Celtic’s backline, making it easier for the opposition to launch counterattacks.
“Engels didn’t do enough to track back and support his defense. When your full-backs are struggling, you need your midfielders to step in and help. That just didn’t happen,” Shearer remarked.
With experienced players like Callum McGregor in midfield, Engels’ defensive responsibilities should have been clearer. However, his lack of awareness and sluggish recovery runs left Celtic exposed, something Shearer believes could be a deciding factor in the title race.
Rodgers’ Response and the Road Ahead
Brendan Rodgers acknowledged the defensive lapses in his post-match comments, admitting that Celtic’s concentration levels were not up to standard. However, he also expressed frustration over the disallowed goal, believing it was a turning point in the match.
“We gave away two poor goals early on, and that put us on the back foot. We fought back, and I think we deserved more, but we have to be better in these situations,” Rodgers said.
Despite the loss, Celtic still control their own fate in the title race. However, with Rangers breathing down their necks, they cannot afford further slip-ups. Rodgers will need to address the defensive issues quickly, whether that means reshuffling the backline or demanding more from his midfielders.
Shearer’s Final Warning
Shearer concluded his analysis with a stark warning for Celtic:
“They have the quality to win the title, but if they keep making the same mistakes, they’re handing it to Rangers. This is not the time for weak links in the squad.”
As Celtic prepare for their upcoming fixtures, all eyes will be on Taylor and Engels. If their performances do not improve, Rodgers may be forced to make tough decisions to keep his side’s title ambitions alive.
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