We Needed a Proper No.6

To be fair, a lot of fans are right to applaud the high-energy midfielder. He brings that buzz-bomb dynamism that lifts the crowd and can change a midfield’s tempo. Local lads mean more to us too. But last night made the same old point: a livewire spark is great, yet it doesn’t replace the steady, experienced defensive midfielder we’re missing.

Momentum and the second-half problem

The second half felt like a carbon copy of the first — one side had all the drive and we never really found a way to wrestle it back. You can’t simply blame the players or call it a tactical instruction for them to sit deep. Celtic started strongly. We didn’t adapt quickly enough. That’s on the squad and the manager; it’s also part of being a young team under a new coach. Learning curves are real, but results don’t wait for lessons to land.

Why the proper No.6 still matters

That’s the rub. A real defensive midfielder isn’t judged only by goals and assists. They manage transitions, shield the back four, recycle possession and decide when to speed things up or slow them down. Fans who gush about energy aren’t daft — there’s a place for both kinds of player. But when the match slips away, it’s the calm, experienced operator who brings structure and buys time for the rest to settle.

Where we go from here

So yes, enjoy the spark. Celebrate the pace and the graft. But don’t pretend that fixes everything. We need that balance — the buzz-bomb to lift things and the composed No.6 to control them. That’s the kind of squad build that helps a new manager and a young group grow without getting left behind in the big moments.

Basic tactical note: a defensive midfielder’s value is often in spacing, pressing triggers and passing range rather than highlight reel stats. Solid positioning and the ability to break lines with measured passes can change how a team handles sustained pressure.

Written by Angus1812: 20 March 2026