Missing set-piece of the jigsaw

Bringing in Grant could just be a Martin masterstroke

- CRAIG SWAN

MARTIN O'NEILL has talked about making subtle changes within the style of play at Celtic.

The Parkhead manager speaks of marrying together some recent traits with aspects of his work from 25 years ago.

Implementing new ideas is crucial. But, if the club's latest appointment also happens to take the squad back two-and-a-half decades at the same time, it'll be a massive step forward.

In a season which could again be decided on small margins, the capture of Ross Grant is fascinating.

O'Neill was clear that his heroes of the past “played with a dash”. But what they also did so well during his tenure was dominate teams at set-pieces.

Often in the modern game, stats dominate. Numbers are put ahead of instincts. Style judged over substance.

But in the final analysis, and no one knows it more than O'Neill, it's about winning.

Yet, even given the volume of analytics which infiltrate the game can seem overpowering, the value of the set piece has never been as evident.

O'Neill's first Celtic teams were masters at them. To be fair, when there is a wand of a left peg possessed by Alan Thompson standing over dead balls and the desire, power and instinct of Chris Sutton, Henrik Larsson, John Hartson, Johan Mjallby, Joos Valgaeren and Bobo Balde to go and attack his vicious deliveries into the box, it didn't need much homework.