Will Celtic’s first away league win since February turn out to be a turning point for Ange Postecoglou?
KEITH: He’ll certainly hope so but there was nothing much convincing about the manner of this performance at Pittodrie. Celtic won’t be turning any corners until the manager addresses some very glaring defensive frailties.
SCOTT: It simply has to be. If Celtic don’t put a run of home and away wins on the board then it will see them left behind. It should give them confidence and they have to kick on from it.
MICHAEL: It will only be if this Celtic side figure out how to defend as well as attack. There were still too many madcap moments and the Hoops will need to learn to grind it out over the winter if they are to be in the mix come the run in.
Should Nathan Patterson now be considered Rangers’ first choice right back for the foreseeable?
KEITH JACKSON: It’s a huge call for Steven Gerrard as it means leaving his captain on the bench. But Patterson’s drive and energy gave Rangers a much needed boost yesterday. He looks every inch ready for a regular starting place.
SCOTT BURNS: I don’t think he can be. As long as James Tavernier is there and Rangers captain then I don’t see Nathan Patterson taking that slot. That is the harsh reality.
MICHAEL GANNON: It’s a tough one. The youngster has bags of talent but Tavernier has been an incredible servant and extremely effective over the years. A break might do the captain a bit of good but don’t write him off just yet.
It’s incredible we are still dealing with the scourge of racism in football, so what do the authorities need to do to finally have any sort of impact?
KEITH: Have the courage to start kicking offending clubs and countries out of competitions. UEFA should start by telling Sparta Prague they are no longer welcome in this season’s Europa League.
SCOTT: It has to be a no-nonsense approach. We have to take the strongest stance we can, even if that means punishing clubs with closed stands or fines. The fans also have a part to play in self-policing and weeding out the racists in the stands.
MICHAEL: At some point FIFA, UEFA and league bosses are going to have to grow a pair and dish out the ultimate sanctions, closing stadiums, docking points and chucking teams out of competitions. It’s the only way to get supporters to eventually self-police.
How does Steve Clarke make sure Scotland’s World Cup dream can remains alive with wins against Israel at Hampden and then in the Faroe Islands?
KEITH: By not deviating from his blueprint. Play McTominay and Tierney in a back three, allow Billy Gilmour to dictate from the middle of the pitch and pair Dykes and Adams in attack. He knows the answers already.
SCOTT: I don’t see the national coach veering too far away from the team from the Austria win. There is clearly a feel-good factor within the squad.
Confidence is building and it is just a case of keeping that bubbling ahead of Israel at Hampden.
MICHAEL: He needs to start Patterson at right back and go at Israel the same way he did in Austria. The Faroes should be a formality but there can be no slip ups at Hampden.
