Neil Lennon's bizarre tactical decisions, Rangers loanee's place under threat, Stevie May turning back the clock, Celtic youngster getting a chance - Scottish Premiership winners and losers

A look back at the weekend’s action from the Scottish Premiership

Celtic manager Neil Lennon during his side's 2-0 loss to Rangers. Picture: SNS

Loser – Neil Lennon (Celtic)

What the hell was that? The smart money was always going to be on Rangers, given the multiple drop-outs Celtic had to endure, but nobody expected such a listless, uninspired performance from the reigning champions. The players must take on some of the blame, of course, though their manager didn’t exactly put them in the best position to win.

If the 3-5-2 formation was a player we’d all be asking ourselves whether it held incriminating pictures of the Celtic manager. It just doesn’t make any sense that a head coach, who throughout his managerial career has shown himself flexible on the formation front, would stubbornly stick to it despite all the warning signs blaring around him.

If you’re without three “frontline forwards” due to fitness issues, as Lennon himself put it, it’s probably not a good idea to start with two up front. If you’re without three centre-backs, it’s probably not a good idea to squeeze in a 20-year-old making just his second appearance. It’s probably not a good idea to give little support to Jeremie Frimpong when he’s being marked out of the game, to take off Mohamed Elyounoussi when he’s clearly having a more influential performance than Patryk Klimala, and it certainly isn’t a good idea to wait until the 84th minute to change out of a formation that holds three centre-backs and a defensive midfielder when you’re chasing the game.

Lenny, I’ll ask again: what the hell was that?

Winner – Ross Doohan (Ross County)

Stuart Kettlewell has been patient with Ross Laidlaw this campaign despite the ex-Hibs stopper being suspect for at least five of the 16 goals County conceded through 10 league games. The Staggies manager was finally moved to make a change at the position after County shipped four goals in two games against part-time Angus sides Montrose and Arbroath in the Betfred Cup.

In Laidlaw’s place came Celtic loanee Ross Doohan for his top-flight debut. He wasn’t the main reason the Highland club managed to keep a clean sheet in their 0-0 draw with Hibs – that would be the visitors’ wastefulness – though he did make an impressive double save later in the game and should feel confident he’ll now get a decent run in the first team to show what he can do.

Loser – Robby McCrorie (Livingston)

From a goalkeeper who would’ve felt great about himself on Monday to one who likely spent the morning avoiding eye-contact with his team-mates. McCrorie was significantly at fault for two of the three goals the Lions shipped in their 3-1 defeat to Kilmarnock as the visitors came roaring back from an early deficit – and they’re far from his only errors this season.

Whenever fans are speculating as to whether a loanee has a clause in their contract where they have to play, you know things aren’t going well. The Rangers academy graduate has looked anything but assured this campaign and calls are growing louder for deputy Max Stryjek to take his place. The Polish custodian has certainly looked a more commanding and confidence presence in the few chances he’s had.

McCrorie will be hoping that his parent club do him a favour this coming weekend and stick five past Stryjek as he sits out due to SPFL rules regarding loan deals.

Winner – Stevie May (St Johnstone)

Is the old Stevie May back? It’s a question we’ll probably ask ourselves at semi-regular intervals until several years after he’s retired, but Saturday’s two-goal haul in a bizarre eight-goal contest against Hamilton Accies does suggest that he’s rediscovered his mojo.

As sad as it is to say, the old Stevie May will probably never fully return as the devastating knee injury he suffered down south robbed him of some pace and explosiveness, but it doesn’t account for the shot-shy striker he became at Aberdeen. It’s all good to put in a power of work outside the box and link with midfielders, but St Johnstone, especially the current team, really need him to be a goal threat.

The double at Accies were strikes of the ‘poacher’ variety. Added to the three he scored against Brechin last weekend, he now has six in 10 games. Yes, half of those came against the worst team in the SPFL, but he’s now got three goals in the league despite starting only five matches. Please be back, Stevie.

Loser – Dundee United’s midfield

United got themselves a much-needed result on Saturday, holding high-flying Aberdeen to a 0-0 draw at Tannadice, but it wasn’t the sort of display which screams 'turning point!’. The Dons controlled the game with the home side constantly losing the battle in the centre. Ian Harkes, Calum Butcher and Peter Pawlett were all guilty of being wasteful with the ball and relinquished possession too often to Aberdeen’s pressing.

It’s an area that’s caused concern for United fans all season as they wonder where the supply is going to come for star striker Lawrence Shankland. Harkes is great at driving play forward but his work with the ball could be better. Butcher was a highly effective screener in the Championship but there isn’t much evidence yet that it’s translated to the top flight. As for Pawlett, he started the season in eye-catching form, but then we always get these bursts from the former Aberdeen man. They soon flame out.

The good news for Micky Mellon is that keeping United’s heads above the riff-raff is about all that can be expected of him this season as he looks rebuild the club into a top-flight force again. The bad news is that he’ll need to figure out the right blend quickly, because their recent form has been dire; just five league points in seven and some really unconvincing performances in the Betfred Cup has fans more than a little nervous.

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