Though Celtic conceded 4, the scoreline didn’t flatter Benfica. The Portuguese facet created possibilities aplenty in each halves and hit the woodwork twice along with their 4 objectives.
Celtic’s lack of depth in defence was uncovered as soon as once more within the absence of the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers as Gianluca Prestianni and Duran tormented the guests’ again 4.
Nevertheless, it’s in ahead areas the place O’Neill maybe has his greatest headache.
Membership file signing Kasper Hogh was hooked at half-time and has now failed to attain in 10 of his first 11 outings since becoming a member of from Bodo/Glimt in the summertime.
Duran shifted inside for the second half and posed much more of a risk than his Danish team-mate.
“If I am a inventive midfield participant and I’ve received Duran and Hogh to select from, I am taking Duran day by day of the week,” former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan stated.
“He appears to be like to get off the facet of defenders, for those who put a ball within the space, he is extra prone to be alive to it.
“Hogh simply is not firing on all cylinders. I can take that if he is doing the opposite facet of the sport lots higher than he’s.
“You may see why Martin O’Neill made the substitution at half-time and there is not any doubt Celtic seemed significantly better going ahead.”
O’Neill admitted he sees Duran as being higher by way of the center, when requested about his Colombian talisman post-match, however given Hogh’s price ticket he won’t be inclined to drag him out of the firing line simply but.
“[Duran] has performed broad at his earlier golf equipment,” O’Neill stated. “However I personally really feel his greatest place is thru the center.
“It is now a matter of us making an attempt to suit him in and I feel we are able to try this. It is an actual battle for locations now.”