Pundit Darren Jackson has been discussing the possibility of Celtic changing their tactical shape to a 3-5-2 system once again.
Jackson was recently a guest on the latest episode of PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show. The panel discussed many issues surrounding Scottish football. One thing Jackson focused on was Celtic’s tactics for the season and how new signings could spark a change in system for Neil Lennon. The Hoops had used a 4-2-3-1 shape against Hamilton in their first game of this season.
Celtic have been linked with moves for many strikers in recent days. They’ve drawn links with Albian Ajeti and Ivan Toney, while more recent reports have linked them with the likes of Steven Fletcher and Lyle Taylor.
Jackson believes that with the signature of another striker, the Hoops might have to go back to playing a 3-5-2 shape this season. He also tipped the club to sign a central defender this summer should they add another striker to their ranks.
He said: “I think if they sign Fletcher, they would have to bring in another centre-half. I think Lenny [Neil Lennon] will go back to a three. If he’s going to play two up-front, whether it is Fletcher, whether it is [Leigh] Griffiths, it is definitely going to be [Odsonne] Edouard.
Will Celtic play a 3-5-2 shape regularly this season?
Yes, we will
No, we won't
“They are going to have to fit one of them in the team with Edouard, so they will need to go with 3-5-2 that they played at the end of the season- it worked really well for them. The point is, if they bring Fletcher in, they will need another centre-half.”
TIF Thoughts…
Lennon has already confirmed that the club are looking to sign a striker this summer to add more ‘depth’ and ‘competition’ to the current first-team squad. He also confirmed that the club has indeed held talks with Fletcher’s representatives (as per Sky Sports News via BBC Sport).
The Hoops used a 3-5-2 system multiple times in the second half of the 2019/20 season, and they didn’t lose a single Premiership game during that time. It could be proof of the fact that this system might just be best for them, so shifting to a 3-5-2 shape may be the way ahead for Lennon and his side.