Martin O'Neill was perplexed in Perth.
His "laborious" Celtic facet made it six wins out of six within the Scottish Premiership by sneaking by St Johnstone, however his much-changed facet removed from had all of it their very own manner.
After handing a debut to on-loan Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, a primary Celtic begin to midfielder Oliver Sorensen and a uncommon run-out for centre-back Dane Murray – along with recalling winger Sebastian Tounekti and striker Kasper Hogh – the veteran supervisor would have hoped to have had a greater thought of new-looking squad as he "juggles" gamers and positions.
However he didn't fairly get that.
Talking after Mika Baur's first objective for the membership delivered victory, O'Neill informed BBC Sport Scotland; "I'm undecided what to make of it, actually," whereas admitting to Sky Sports activities "we're nonetheless nicely wanting it".
With the primary Europa League sport – at house to Ferencvaros subsequent Thursday – sandwiching a double-header in opposition to Rangers, within the Premier Sports activities Cup on Sunday earlier than the league per week later, it seems O'Neill has some points to handle for a mammoth week.
Is Duran undroppable?
Regardless of the tasty triple-header which awaits the reigning champions, O'Neill was insistent on the significance of the match at McDiarmid Park in prioritising their title defence.
It made his fives modifications much more stunning. Amongst them, the omission of Camilo Duran was probably the most stunning given his blistering begin in a Celtic shirt.
A lot of the pre-match chat centred on whether or not the returning Hogh and Duran would play collectively as strikers or if the Colombian would shift again out extensive. Nobody actually thought-about him being dropped to the bench. And it seems unlikely O'Neill will probably be tempted to take action once more.
"Our fundamental man solely got here on within the final 10 or quarter-hour, so it provides you meals for thought," the Northern Irishman mentioned after his facet failed so as to add to their tally regardless of upping the ante after Mika Baur's objective early within the second half.
"[Duran's] simply been class. He seemed drained within the sport on Saturday, however I'm not shocked for the quantity of issues he does for us, each with the ball, which is terrific, and likewise the work that he does off it.
"He's second solely to Daizen Maeda when it comes to closing gamers down. So, I needed to try to see if we may do with out him, and the reply might be not."
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Is Tounekti too 'protected'?
As pleasant as it’s to have a diamond like Duran, O'Neill gained't need his facet to turn into overly depending on the 24-year-old in the best way they beforehand did with the now departed Maeda.
Hogh, a poacher, is the polar-opposite to livewire Duran and, with the service as poor because it was from the wings on Wednesday, it was all the time going to be an evening of battle for the Dane.
He touched the ball simply twice within the field earlier than the break, however O'Neill did trace on the membership's document signing needing to do extra. "You simply can't put the ball on a plate for individuals," he mentioned to Sky Sports activities. "They must make room for themselves within the penalty field to try to rating a objective."
Yang Hyun-jun was additionally missed after a glittering begin to the season, however the drop-off in confidence, high quality and supply from the South Korea winger to Tounekti was staggering, with former Scotland worldwide James McFadden calling his efficiency and decision-making "protected" at half-time.
"He likes to come back inside, that's fairly constructive till the final half," he mentioned on Sky Sports activities.
"He's bought an enormous drawback in his beginning place, the place he receives the ball, he's all the time within the eye-line of the defender.
"He's irritating to observe as a result of he's fast and sharp with good ft, however he's determined to come back inside and by no means desires to take the chance of happening the surface."
Numerous occasions within the first half particularly, Hogh lower an exasperated determine after pulling and pealing away from defenders earlier than not being discovered by his team-mate.
Forrest in line for Ibrox begin?
The extra issues change, the extra issues keep the identical. James Forrest starring in opposition to St Johnstone.
With 12 to his identify, the 35-year-old has scored extra objectives in opposition to the Perth facet than every other group in his lengthy and distinguished Celtic profession.
He didn't add to that tally however his cameo efficiency had McFadden calling for the skilled winger to start out in opposition to Rangers on Sunday.
Forrest flashed a handful of engaging balls throughout the face of objective, however there have been simply no takers. He wasn't shy at taking a shot when the chance introduced itself both.
"I believe Forrest begins on the weekend," McFadden added. "He provides you way more in that place."
It's an attention-grabbing debate with Duran within the dialog too, if he’s not deployed by the center.
On the best, Haissem Hassan's ultimate ball was not significantly better, however his resolution making was extra constructive as he arrange Baur's easy end.
Is squad depth there?
In precept, sure. In practise, maybe not but. In brief, Celtic seemed like a facet who had made 5 modifications.
But they confronted a St Johnstone group who made 4 of their very own – together with a primary begin for Joe Cotterill – who pressured Johnstone into an outstanding save – and a debut for on-loan Hibs midfielder Josh Campbell.
Pre-match, O'Neill admitted he "had no thought" what midfielder Sorensen was able to. He could but nonetheless be questioning as the sport seemingly handed him by.
It was a daring name to depart Duran and fellow goal-threat Benjamin Nygren – who changed Sorensen with over 20 minutes to go – on the bench but it surely did – simply – repay, with the influential pair having fun with slightly relaxation earlier than the Rangers tie.
"I do know the outcomes have been nice, actually nice, however once we get gamers in control, that'll be nice," O'Neill reiterated.
"I believe that'll take a couple of weeks for gamers. Within the meantime, a very powerful factor is to try to hold your head above water."
