Celtic expert admits he has changed his mind about Yuki Kobayashi
Ange Postecoglou’s back-up players at Celtic “are not good enough”.
That’s according to Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Hoops’ poor run of form towards the end of the season.
Despite yesterday’s 5-0 win over Aberdeen (27 May), the Celts’ previous two results – a draw at home to St Mirren and a 3-0 defeat to Rangers – had been raising alarm.
With Cameron Carter-Vickers out injured until pre-season and Alistair Johnston only returning to the fold on Saturday, Postecoglou had to experiment with his defensive line which proved gaps in his squad that will need addressed.
Yuki Kobayashi filled in for the injured Carter-Vickers whilst long-serving Celt Anthony Ralston replaced Johnston at right-back.
Postecoglou also experimented with Alexandro Bernabei at left-back in place of Greg Taylor before him and Johnston returned to the lineup for the win over the Dons.
When asked if he was worried about the drop in level from the players McAvennie told Football Insider: “I really do think that Ange is getting more out of this than anyone.
“He keeps saying we never stop but unfortunately they have stopped and they have stopped big time.
“But I think what Ange is going to get out of this is that it shows the replacements he has got coming in are not good enough.
“I have got a great respect for Bernabei, Ralston and Kobayashi, who I thought was going to be a great player, but you can’t leave players out and expect them to come in and be that sharp and Celtic had not been for the last couple of months.“
In other news, Celtic fear Wolves will move for Postecoglou after new twist.