Tactical Analysis: Celtic 3-2 Lille

Neil Lennon’s Celtic have experienced a subdued start to their season in both the Scottish Premiership and the UEFA Europa League, currently trailing bitter rivals Rangers by 13 points (Celtic have two games in hand) in their hunt for a 10th successive league title, and finishing bottom of their Europa League group after taking one point from their first five fixtures.

Whilst coming up empty-handed in both fixtures against Sparta Prague and Milan, Celtic had given Lille a torrid time at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, mustering a 2-2 draw in France after a late fightback from the hosts cancelled out a first-half brace from Mohamed Elyounoussi. They did themselves one better in Celtic Park, taking all three points from Lille, who are currently two points behind Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 title race.

Celtic initially lined up in a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-3-3 formation depending on the match situation. Lennon had been experimenting with a three at the back system in the games prior, but he decided to go with a four at the back on paper.