But things looked different on Wednesday, in the Hoops\u2019 first game under the interim guidance of Martin O\u2019Neill.<\/a> There was a notable increase in direct passes, and a different shape to the team\u2019s midfield.<\/p>\n With Benjamin Nygren<\/a> dropping back into the middle of the park alongside Arne Engels<\/a> and Callum McGregor,<\/a> things looked to have more intensity, with the Swede playing on the left side rather than the right of the triangle.<\/p>\n Marcelo Saracchi<\/a> also earned praise for his performance, creating a potential selection headache for Sunday\u2019s Premier Sports Cup semi-final.<\/a> For Peter Grant,<\/a> his performance highlighted the deficiencies of another Celtic man.<\/p>\n Peter Grant on Marcelo Saracchi and another Celtic man<\/p>\n Saracchi is in direct competition with Kieran Tierney<\/a> for the left-back position, with the Scotland star\u2019s fitness requiring additional attention.<\/p>\n They often share the left side with Sebastian Tounekti.<\/a> But fellow summer signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha<\/a> has seen less game time.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Wilfried Nancy questioned on Celtic manager links as he makes \u2018humidity\u2019 admission<\/a><\/p>\n The 24-year-old Belgian was brought to Parkhead in a \u00a34.5 million deal in the last week of the transfer window, and has started just twice.<\/p>\n But from what he has seen, Grant is frustrated. Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show,<\/a> Grant slated his lack of invention, and praised Saracchi.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cSaracchi, for me, I thought he sparked the crowd with a couple of the runs he did. Just simple things.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople think it\u2019s a bit of technical skill or whatever, but shots, crosses, efforts on goal\u2026 that\u2019s what supporters want to see. That doesn\u2019t change.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople taking some on in a one-vs-one situation. There wasn\u2019t enough of that. And that\u2019s not a criticism of Brendan, that\u2019s a criticism of the players.<\/p>\n \u201cBalikwisha\u2019s a winger that, at this moment in time, every time I see him, he passes it. You\u2019re a winger, son! Take somebody on! Lose the ball, you\u2019ve got a license to lose it.<\/p>\n \u201cSo that\u2019s not a manager thing. Brendan Rodgers or Martin O\u2019Neill isn\u2019t saying to him, \u2018pass the ball, son\u2019. Your job is to go and create something.\u201d<\/p>\n Who will start for Celtic against Rangers?<\/p>\n The lack of balance in Celtic\u2019s attack creates a tricky selection situation. Tounekti, Balikwisha and Daizen Maeda<\/a> all favour the left side of the front three.<\/p>\n As Maeda looks to regain his fitness, Johnny Kenny\u2019s<\/a> two goals against Falkirk were encouraging. But will this earn him a place against Rangers on Sunday?<\/p>\n TalkingPoints<\/p>\n Poll: Are you happy that Brendan Rodgers has left Celtic?<\/p>\n Maeda\u2019s fitness will be a big factor. Should O\u2019Neill wish to stick to the same midfield three from Wednesday, Reo Hatate<\/a> will also have to miss out, and Forrest will have to start consecutive games.<\/p>\n![\"Celtic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2244055105-1024x693.jpg\")
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