Steven Thompson: Mackay should heed Robben and go with Celtic youth against Dutch

Celtic have not won a Champions League game at home during the group stages in ten attempts, suffering seven losses during that period. and managing just three draws. 

Read more: Kieran Tierney: I hope I go on to become a one club legend at Celtic like Billy McNeill and Paul McStay

Despite real positivity, in terms of the performances and the “growing up” of players in that environment, particularly the Scots lads, playing at the very highest level within club football, and a great many ex-players praising Celtic’s efforts, a defeat is still a defeat; for me, there is no way to dress up a loss.

As I say, there were positives. But until Celtic fix their defensive frailties, in the central areas especially, then they are not going to progress any further than playing for third place because the very top teams take you apart – and Bayern did just that while missing key players.

It won’t matter if it’s Bayern reserves or whoever in the group sections, if you defend as Celtic did on Tuesday, making fundamental errors around what was basic defending, expect to lose.

Like Jurgen Klopp against Spurs a few weeks ago when he said you can set your team up how you like, but you can’t legislate for your key stoppers and ‘keeper having a total aberration. 

There is very little you can criticise Brendan Rodgers for since he came to Glasgow. 

Read more: Kieran Tierney on the night Celtic legend Tommy Burns came to training

However, I really do think, in the aftermath of that game, Rodgers might be secretly kicking himself for not buying another first-rate centre-back.

Jozo Simunovic is a good player. But you need your big-game players to be playing in big games. He, and therefore Celtic, have a reliability issue on that front, and that hasn’t helped Celtic in major matches.

Another thing to be tweaked during the January transfer window, perhaps.

Who knows, until then, Celtic might be adding to the all-time British unbeaten domestic record they equalled last week. For tomorrow, expect Celtic to beat it this weekend – and for Rodgers to roll out all his big hitters.

He has tended to make a few changes in the post-European games. Last week there were six against Kilmarnock and it almost cost him, as it had done on three similar occasions this term. 

However, with this record to be had – probably one that could last another century, if not longer – I wouldn’t expect him to leave anything to chance, albeit against a St Johnstone team who have lost four of their last five matches, and can’t buy a goal on top of that.

Read more: Kieran Tierney: I hope I go on to become a one club legend at Celtic like Billy McNeill and Paul McStay

As I mentioned previously, seeing those home-grown players performing well against Bayern should give Malky Mackay a real starter for ten against Holland next midweek. Mackay named his first Scotland squad this week, and as you’d expect, the tried and tested were in abundance, but, also one of two surprise names, the biggest of which for me was Ryan Jack of Rangers.

I don’t think he’s reached anywhere near the standards he set himself at Aberdeen. In fact, I’d go as far to say that some Rangers fans have been wondering whether he is worth a starting place at Ibrox. When you see how long Callum McGregor had to wait for a call up, then 

I think Jack is very fortunate to have been included. But into the pool he comes.

Ahead of the game against the Dutch, who appear to be in more of a state than Scotland, I really wish and hope that Mackay is brave and bold with his starting selection, and gives Callum McGregor, James Forrest and the likes of John McGinn a chance from the off.

For me, one key area that needs to be resolved is at full-back. I don’t think Kieran Tierney has been anything near as effective in the right corner, especially in the last two internationals. Fair play to the guy, he plays for his country where and when he’s asked. But for me he is a much better player on the left – which is where, of course, Andy Robertson plays. 

Now, if the interim manager is going to play about with personnel, why not do something with the formation? 

The 4-2-3-1 line up, favoured by Gordon Strachan worked, up to a point – the point being it didn’t get us to either the Euros or the World Cup. 

So why not play Robertson as left centre-back, or, on the left of a back three, and use Tierney ahead of him? 

It might work, and we might get the best out of the two guys who in my opinion are our best players. 

But please, let’s use the game at Pittodrie to give different players and some new tactics a try. 

Who knows, it might be worth watching. I hope so – I’m going!