Chris Sutton believes Martin O’Neill has been left selecting his Celtic lineup almost at random.
With injuries tearing through the squad, the Hoops icon and Record Sport columnist might not be exaggerating.
The extended absences of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Arne Engels and Jota have disrupted the champions’ campaign.
If not for O’Neill’s return, their title ambitions could already have slipped away.
Still, the experienced Northern Irishman has somehow kept them firmly involved in a tightly contested three-way battle.
The victory at Dens Park has restored confidence that the injury-hit Hoops can still push for the title.
A three-point deficit can disappear in no time.
However, after constant rotation since stepping back in for a second interim spell, O’Neill admits he is still uncertain about his best starting XI.
He confessed: “Do you know what? It’s a very good point. I’m not sure I’ve ever known what the best team is.
“We’ve changed things around just almost trying to get some sort of balance about the side.
“Players coming in – for instance, in the first half, I thought Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was fantastic.
“He played really well, still trying to get up to speed for the games. I think the SPFL in many aspects has surprised him, you know, at the speed of the game or what it can be.
“He was getting a bit tired – or so I thought anyway. But his first-half performance was really terrific.
“He was able to come out of tight situations, being able to thread things through. I thought he did really well.
“So yeah, in a sense, we have changed things around. We have a few players we feel as if are quite similar in many aspects.
“So back to your point, what an admission, you know: you have to know your best team.
“But as we do change things around a bit, and sometimes it’s to do with the form of that particular player during the course of that game.”
It also doesn’t help when forwards fail to take their opportunities. Tomas Cvancara might have scored three times at Dens Park but ended up empty-handed again.
Fortunately for O’Neill, Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench to net a decisive winner—his first goal since October.
After switching his attacking options over the last few matches, Iheanacho could now be set for an extended spell as they pursue the title.
O’Neill said: ”I have been spoiled obviously with centre-forwards here way back years ago. So a centre-forward’s got to try to hold the ball for a start.
“Then, naturally, they’ve got to get on the end of things and score some goals.
“So you can forgive people maybe not holding it up if they are on the end of things and scoring some goals
“But when that’s not happening, then it does cause a problem.
“So for Kelechi today to get that goal, he’s absolutely buzzing in the dressing room at this moment.
“That’s the happiest I’ve seen him, you know, for quite some time.”
Two goals in 12 appearances is hardly impressive for Cvancara.
The on-loan Borussia Mönchengladbach striker is aiming to secure a permanent move to Parkhead.
But after missing a host of chances, O’Neill said: “Naturally, he was pretty down after the game. Even though we had the win, he was down because he hasn’t scored.
“He needs to score. In his mind, he needs to score a goal. Some of the chances that he had today, I think he could have easily had two anyway.
“It becomes frustrating because no matter what you say, centre-forwards are those things: they thrive on scoring goals.
“The confidence is big when you put the ball in the net. So it’s a frustrating time for him today.”
It’s fortunate O’Neill can rely on seasoned players like Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Kieran Tierney—individuals who understand the demands of a title race.
That experience could be vital as the season approaches its final six matches.
O’Neill said: ”Yeah, well, we do have a couple of players… but we’ve actually got a couple of boys who haven’t been over the course, you know, so I don’t know.
You make an interesting point because this time last year, Celtic were cruising, you know, and had been cruising for a number of years.
“This has been really tight for them. So this is kind of – even though we’ve got some experience in the side – it’s a kind of a new experience for these lads.
“To be chasing and chasing and chasing, you know, and being under pressure to get results all the time.
“But if you’re thinking about the likes of Callum and people like this here, yeah, I think that the younger lads would want them to be leaning on someone like him.”
After three straight defeats in Dundee, McGregor was relieved to leave with all three points and reduce the gap on faltering Heart of Midlothian.
He said: “We said it two weeks ago, there’s points up for grabs. What we have to do is not look at anyone else externally, just look at ourselves.
“That was the message before the game; don’t worry about what’s happening elsewhere, let’s worry about us. That’s all we can affect. We won the game and we park it.
“Just one game at a time. Focus on performance, what you can do and what you can give to the team.
“You run as much as you can and we’ve got really good quality. It’s now about mentality and how much you want it.