Celtic Exclusive: Pundit hammers Strachan for Tom Rogic move
Frank McAvennie is baffled Celtic first-team coach Gavin Strachan withdrew Tom Rogic against Hibernian.
The Parkhead legend, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said the club's more experienced players should be expected to step up in the current crisis and not the youngsters who "aren't good enough" yet for the first XI.
The Hoops were forced to field a depleted side in the 1-1 draw against Hibernian on Monday night after 13 players were forced to self-isolate after Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19 upon his return from Dubai.
While the Scottish Premiership champions were able to name a relatively strong starting eleven, their bench was highly inexperienced.
Therefore, the decision to replace Rogic, one of the most experienced players on the pitch, with the young Ewan Henderson came as a surprise just after the hour mark.
McAvennie warned Strachan, acting manager in the absence of the self-isolating Neil Lennon and John Kennedy, that he cannot withdraw his senior players against Livingston on Saturday.
"Livingston are playing well at the moment," he told Football Insider.
"I do not understand why Strachan took Rogic off against Hibs. I do not get that.
"Maybe he was getting told by Lenny but it is bad enough without taking your experienced players off the field. They cannot do that against Livingston. You need your experienced players to talk to the young boys.
"There were far too many youngsters against Hibs. They are not good enough, the boys that are coming through - not right now anyway.
"You have to break boys in with experienced players around them.
"I know Strachan was in a difficult situation last night but you do not take Rogic off and put a young boy on who has never played. I do not get it."