BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
MARK Wilson insists Kris Commons could have saved Ronny Deila’s Celtic career – and believes the attacker is a ‘luxury’ Brendan Rodgers can afford to keep.
Wilson is convinced Commons should have featured more last season as Celtic struggled to hold off Aberdeen in the league.
The 32-year-old, who had a public falling out with manager Deila during the Europa League defeat to Molde in October, made just five league starts after the New Year.
Being left languishing on the bench for April’s penalty-kicks defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final was a clear indication of how far out of the first-team picture Commons had fallen.
However, Wilson believes the exciting arrival of Rodgers as the Hoops’ new boss can breathe new life into Commons at Parkhead as the former Scotland star prepares to enter the last year of his contract.
The former Celtic and Dundee United full-back said: “For me, personally, I think he has plenty to offer to Celtic. I’m a big fan of Kris Commons as a player.
“I thought he should have played a lot last season and he didn’t.
“Ronny Deila opted for anybody else rather than Kris Commons, which was weird when he was such a goal-scorer and such a big player for Celtic over the years.
“I would like to see him stay, because I still think he can contribute. And for a large portion of the Celtic fans, they would like to see him stay.
“He should have made more appearances last season and maybe if he did Celtic would have been in a better place, and maybe Ronny Deila would have still been there.”
Luxury
Commons, who has been linked with interest from Alan Stubbs at Rotherham United, has had to defend his style of play over the years, with accusations that his work-rate without the ball leaves a lot to be desired.
The player himself insisted he should have been playing in every single game for Celtic, despite suggestions he did not fit into Deila’s preferred – and rigid – 4-2-3-1 formation.
Wilson admits there are downsides to having Commons in your team, but believes they are negatives that are vastly outweighed by the positives.
Wilson, speaking at a Ladbrokes Euro 2016 event at Knockhill Racing Circuit, added: “He is a luxury player, but with what he brings to the team the other nine outfield players can chip in and make up for the bad bits of his game.
“Brendan Rodgers does change the system and that’s why I think he’s the perfect fit for Celtic.
“And he might just be wise to keep Commons, because there’s no doubt he’s valuable for certain games.”
