That was an atrocious result and it hurts. Losing to a side that hasn't taken a win for a while makes it sting even more, and the mood around the place is properly downbeat. There are real, practical questions to answer before the big tie with Celtic — not least about selection and how we approach their vulnerabilities.
Who starts up front?
People are asking about Olsen and whether he can handle a game of that size. To be fair, you can see why there's doubt. Celtic is the kind of fixture where you need someone who can bully centre-halves, run the channels and show a bit of nastiness. I’d rather Olsen start than have Gassama go full-time in the XI; Gassama looks like an impact option, the sort of player you bring on to change a match, not necessarily the one to rely on for 90 minutes.
Formation and Diomande's place
There’s talk of going two up top. Celtic can be exposed centrally at times, so the idea has merit on paper. Personally, Diomande feels like a must-start — he seems to raise his game for the big Old Firm nights and offers a different physical threat. That suggests a 3- in-midfield setup with one real out-and-out striker ahead, rather than two strikers playing narrow. It gives us control in midfield and a focal point up front. Simple shapes, but with enough options from the bench.
VAR, referees and punditry
On the subject of the Livi clash, the VAR controversy and the non-red for the foul on Moore left fans fuming. I don’t like the partisan tone McFadden brings to broadcasts — it feels clumsy when pundits hide behind club allegiances and then argue the law narrowly. Boyd was spot on to call the refereeing shambolic; where I disagree is when obvious goal-scoring chances are downplayed. Moore was in a clear position to shoot before being taken out. After a week of strange VAR interventions elsewhere, that felt like one of the clearer calls to make.
We need clarity from the club on how we'll line up and who will be used where. The Celtic match won't wait for answers, but at least we can start to make the right ones — get the shape right, pick players who thrive in big games, and stop letting poor officiating decisions be the defining story.
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