As Celtic and Rangers prepare for the climactic Scottish Cup final, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has weighed in on the tactical shortcomings that have plagued Rangers this season.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer, Lennon offered a blunt assessment of Rangers under Philippe Clement, particularly highlighting their repeated failures in derby matches against a dominant Celtic side.
Celtic have enjoyed considerable success against their rivals this season, winning three of the four derbies and drawing the other. According to Lennon, the key issue for Rangers has been their inability to adapt and counter Celtic’s strengths. “Celtic are too good,” Lennon stated, suggesting that Clement needs a significant tactical overhaul if Rangers hope to triumph in the upcoming final.
“He (Philippe Clement) has got to change it. Whether you change the formation or the personnel – he can’t go with the same formula because it’s not working,” Lennon said.
“Celtic are too good. For me, how do you get Tavernier further forward? You need to stop worrying about what (Daizen) Maeda is doing. Do you play three at the back? Or two strikers to stop Celtic playing out from the back. That’s what I would do – because whatever he has done this year hasn’t worked and he can’t stop the flow of Celtic’s passing moves.
“I don’t think this team is good enough to play football against Celtic. They lack speed, they lack creativity.”
It’s not going to take anyone by surprise hearing that Celtic are the best team in Scotland. The side has been unlucky this season through injury, but with everyone back fit, you can see just how good they are. With a summer of spending and strengthening, Celtic could really kick on next season.
