Neil Lennon says Callum McGregor at left-back was not the reason why Celtic lost

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Neil Lennon is refusing to blame Celtic’s Champions League exit on his decision to play Callum McGregor at left-back, The Daily Record reports. Lennon has defended his selection, even though Boli Bolingoli was named on the bench.

Celtic fans quizzed Lennon’s decision before the game. McGregor is arguably the club’s best midfielder but he was being forced to play at left-back. With Kieran Tierney now at Arsenal, Lennon decided to use a makeshift player at left-back instead of Bolingoli.

The Bhoys lost 4-3 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate, consequently crashing out of the Champions League. This was a major disappointment with many fans pointing the blame at Lennon’s strange decision.

But Lennon told The Daily Record: “He (McGregor) did set up our equaliser and I don’t think the left side of the pitch was the problem. I thought he had a pretty good game. We’re not making anyone a scapegoat.”

TBR’s view

I don’t think many Celtic fans blame McGregor for the loss but he should have been in midfield. Not only does this affect their defending, but they are also missing one of their key players in the middle of the park, where he could have had more influence on the game.

Bolingoli played at the weekend and he should have played last night. Perhaps if Bolingoli was at left-back and McGregor further forward, then Celtic would be through to the next round.