Celtic may have escaped with a win and a draw in their last two games, but plenty fans have been concerned about how their team has leaked goals. It begs the question, does Ronny Deila need reinforcements or are the current crop good enough to come good?

GIVE THEM TIME says Neil Cameron

Celtic’s defence is not great at the moment. Nobody is going to sue you for suggesting as much.

But neither is it as terrible as some might have you think. Honest.

The back four were, at times, all over the place at Hamilton, which was as much down the opposition as their own deficiencies.  But it is the central pairing in particular this season that has caused most concern.

Tyler Blackett has not as yet looked anything like a Celtic player, never mind a Manchester United one since moving north, but ask anyone with knowledge of the Old Trafford squad and they will tell you this guy is a talent. He needs time.

Dedryck Boyata can be brilliant and bewildering, all within a few seconds. However, he is a talent and has shown enough to suggest that one he gets a settled partner then he can do really well for Celtic.

And this brings us to Jozo Simunovic who has only played one game since his big money move. You have to think that once he gets fit, then Celtic fans will see a really good player.

There are problems, but they can be sorted, or should be, on the training field. The defenders at the club should be given until May to prove themselves.

Efe is, well Efe and while there is always a mistake in him, at a domestic level he is going okay.

And while okay is rarely enough, it should get Celtic through to the end of this season.

Glasgow Times:

Efe Ambrose receives a few angry looks after his howler in the hoops on Thursday night

 

TIME TO GO WINDOW SHOPPING, says Scott Mullen

Celtic may have the best defensive record in the Ladbrokes Premiership, but it says a lot that even that is not enough to paint a truly positive picture about those who have appeared at the back in green and white.

While the Parkhead club started their domestic campaign with two clean sheets, their lapses have been alarming even if a bit sporadic.

Let's be honest, if you are playing for Celtic, you must have ability. But the question has to be asked if those who are playing at the moment are better than those they have replaced.

On Sunday at Hamilton Dedryck Boyata was the most experienced of the two centre-halves but even he didn't quite cover himself in glory as his tumble allowed Accies to open the scoring. To say he wasn't the worst tells its own story, with Saidy Janko and Tyler Blackett appearing shaky and nervy at times.

In many ways, Celtic have been victims of their own success last season by having two defenders like Jason Denayer  and Virgil van Dijk. The fact the latter was part of a backline that beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the weekend says it all.

Like Neil said, Efe is Efe. There have always been mistakes in him and there's a fair chance that if you haven't managed to cut them out now, then you never will.

Jozo Simunovic will be a quality player when fit, but it has been shown those put in his place may not be ready to fill the void.

Of course, guys like Janko, Boyata and Blackett need to develop an understanding with each other and through time that may very well happen. But, it may be that another imposing defender, particularly at centre-half will still be needed.