Midfielder is a huge loss: Three things we learned about Celtic in win v Inverness
By Will Butcher
Football Insider analyses three talking points from Celtic’s 6-0 win over Inverness in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Loss of international ace is huge
Midfielder Tom Rogic’s delayed spell on the sidelines is a big loss for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, as Liam Henderson struggled to link the midfield with the attack throughout the comfortable win. Australia international Rogic has undergone surgery on his injured ankle which is now expected to keep him out for another two months. Replacing him in the number 10 role, academy product Henderson lost the ball when in possession on numerous occasions, and although he got into the right positions, the playmaker was greedy in front of goal. The Hoops’ number 53 blazed four chances in the first half of the match, with teammates in better positions.
Revival of Bitton continues
Israel international Nir Bitton starred for the Hoops during the win, as he continues his revival in the side with another top display. The midfielder set up Celtic’s first goal with an inch-perfect chip over the defence to set up right-back Mikael Lustig to finish exquisitely. After a disappointing start to the season with a number of questionable performance in both the Scottish Premiership and the Champions League, Bitton looks to have regained his confidence as he dictated Celtic’s play from deep and sprung an number of gaps in the Inverness defence with an array of wonderful passing.
Contract decision pays dividends
Rodgers’ decision to offer a three-year deal to a disillusioned James Forrest in the summer has proved to be an inspired decision. Forrest’s future before signing the new contract was up for debate, but since putting pen to paper the Scotland international has been wonderful under Rodgers and Saturday’s showing was no different. His lighting pace and ability to reach the byline terrorised left-back Carl Tremarco, who failed to deal with Celtic’s right-winger. Forrest supplied three wonderful assists for Dembele to score two of his hat trick as well as Kieran Tierney’s late header, as he proved that he is now matured enough to win raw pace with a calculated creativity.
In other Celtic news, Chris Sutton has destroyed Mark Warburton on Twitter after his Rangers resignation.
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