Jansen is happy now that Celtic jigsaw is complete

Ian Paul
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13 Dec 1997

AS IS his custom, Wim Jansen was offering no clues as to whether the new man on the Parkhead block, Harald Brattbakk, would be making his debut in the keenly anticipated meeting with Hearts at Parkhead today, but the coach did at least indicate that the Norwegian brings his complement of players up to the size and quality he has been planning since arrived in Glasgow last July. Nine players have been signed, a total of almost #12m has been spent and the jigsaw, for the moment at least, has been completed. Said Jansen: ''You always need to be ready to change the squad on a day-by-day basis but, without injuries, I am happy with the way it is now. ''Brattbakk looked good in training today but we have to wait until tomorrow before deciding if he will play.'' To date, the manager has been cautious about putting new players in at short notice and the chances are that the former Rosen- borg man will be on the bench. It is also likley he will come on at some stage. At the same time, it seems unlikely that Jansen would leave out either Darren Jackson, who is looking sharp again, or Henrik Larsson, who has been consistently good for some time, and the return of Morten Wieghorst after suspension - he looks a certain starter - means there will be at least one change in any case. Jansen insists that Brattback's arrival does not mean the system will be disrupted. On the contrary, he believes that the side's ability to adopt different playing strategies will be strengthened by his style. ''We are fortunate to have a few players who can play three or four roles and we can adapt for different games.'' Jansen has a lot of respect for Hearts who, in his view, are entitled to be considered serious challengers for the championship. ''You only need to look at how consistent they have been to get to the top,'' he said. ''They have played at a high level and for them, as well as us, it is vital to continue to play at that level.'' The fact that men like Larsson, Jackson, and Simon Donnelly can be used in alternating roles is an asset but Jansen also makes the point that they also know what to do in each position. ''That is vital for us.'' Meantime, he leaves out three men from last week's squad, Tosh McKinlay, David Hannah, and Andreas Thom, their places being taken by Enrico Annoni, Wieg-horst, and Brattbakk. Celtic general manager Jock Brown refused to make any comment about reported moves from Aberdeen for McKinlay, moves denied by the northern club yesterday. He does have a tricky situation with Thom, however, as the German's current contract ends this month. ''We have had amicable talks,'' said Brown, who is well aware that the #2.2m player is free to head wherever he wishes for nothing, come January. Hearts manager Jim Jefferies remains adamant that the confrontation with Celtic today and Rangers next week will not make or break his team's title hopes. Jefferies is aware that some cynics will already be dismissing his side's chances after the 0-0 draw with Dundee United in midweek broke a six-game winning sequence. ''You're always going to get a dip and if our dip was a draw at Tannadice, then I'll be happy,'' he said. ''Dundee United are the fourth best team in the league on current standings and it wasn't a bad result to get a draw up there. ''Rangers lost there and Aber-deen conceded five goals and I think most teams would be happy with a draw there. ''I was happy with the way we played. Dundee United maybe created the better chances but I think we were the better team. ''We've tightened it up at the back in the last couple of matches and people were saying our defence was suspect after losing three goals against Kilmarnock. ''But we know why that happened and we've corrected it. Jefferies admits he is envious of the spending power of the Old Firm. ''Celtic can go out and spend #2m on a player and he might not even play,'' he said, ''but we've always known we are up against that and we just have to accept it. I believe we have a good depth of squad and the young players coming through at reserve level are mounting a strong challenge for places. ''Our next matches with Celtic and Rangers are important but they will not decide the champion- ship. We'll only be at the halfway stage after that. ''Defender Gary Locke has a 50-50 chance of playing after picking up a shin injury against Dundee United but a final decision will not be taken until this morning.'' BOOKIES' VIEW: Celtic 5-6, Hearts 9-4, Draw 100-30.

Taken from the Herald