Celtic fell to their third away defeat of the season making it 0/9 points on the road so far.
The Hoops looked terrible and never seemed to really get at a resolute Livingston side who had the better chances with only around 20 odd percent off the possession.
One major sticking point on the day was James McCarthy who looked uncomfortable and invisible at times – unable to influence the game from the middle of the park.
Kieran Devlin of the Cynic and The Athletic has claimed the midfielder is really struggling to adapt to Ange’s philosophy on the training ground when it comes to intensity and what he’s being asked to do.
The Athletic’s assertion about the Irish midfielder is also backed up by what we’ve been told – James was not signed by the manager nor the scouting department. This was a signing made by the hierarchy of the club who are NOT well placed to make decisions on playing staff.
The Athletic wrote: Dressing room sources have spoken of how James McCarthy has struggled in training with the pace and intensity of Postecoglou’s sessions and the demands of his midfielders. The Athletic understands neither Postecoglou nor the scouting department had meaningful input into signing McCarthy, and the Republic of Ireland international looked uncomfortable during the Livingston game. He often needed to take two or three touches and misplaced many of his passes, sometimes from close range while under no pressure. It was an incredibly awkward first start.
It doesn’t mean he can’t be a success but it’s harder for the player to fit into a style the manager would like. It could take a lot longer for James to play with that intensity.
Joe Hart was another signing made by the hierarchy but for now, he’s certainly a player who is doing his bit.
Is it a coincidence Celtic’s best signing of the summer was Kyogo – a player Ange was driven to sign and who would’ve known the striker could fit into his system?
Celtic are short of numbers and the miscue of not bringing in another midfielder could cost the club. We need to stay in touch until January, but right now, our away form is not good enough
