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Celtic trapped in messy middle but must avoid taking road that would further enrage punters – Saturday Jury

The Record Sport team debate all the major issues in Scottish football - looking back and ahead to a huge weekend

Kieran Tierney of Celtic looks dejected

Another Europa League defeat for Celtic – is it time for Martin O’Neill’s to park hopes of reaching the knockouts and focus on the defence of their Premiership crown?

Andy Newport: No that would further risk antagonising a support that are already seething over the club’s lack of progress on the continent. Wins breed wins and the best thing for Celtic to do is to take their domestic form into Europe and hope it kick starts a run to the later stages.

Michael Gannon: No. Celtic need to try to claw back some respect on the European stage and then worry about where it takes them. Chucking in the towel is not an option, they need to be able to fight on both fronts.

Scott McDermott: While they're still in it and there are points to play for, Celtic must try to reach the knock-out phase. But they're stuck in a middle ground of being too good for almost every team in Scotland - but not at the level to compete in Europe. And that's a situation that has to be addressed.

Rangers are looking to launch another winning run after their draw at Dundee – should Derek McInnes spice up his starting XI?

Andy: Dan Neil and Dujon Sterling were to blame for last week’s dropped points but Manny Fernandez was out of position for both goals. After a recent upturn, this was a worrying slide into mistakes of old. It’s time for Ben Godfrey to get a run out.

Michael: McInnes has had a settled side in recent weeks and there hasn't been too much wrong with it. Rangers can prove Dundee was just a bump against a decent side and continue to rack up wins domestically.

Scott: He won't tinker too much. Expect him to go back to two strikers with Kevin Kelsy recalled up front alongside Ryan Naderi. Badredine Bouanani deserves to keep his place after a terrific performance against Dundee - and I'd like to see Ben Godfrey get a run-out in defence.

Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson welcome Hearts to Fir Park hoping to avoid a sixth straight defeat - is the Well boss under pressure?

Andy: Not quite yet but the Swede is being judged to a higher standard than previous Fir Park gaffers thanks to last season’s achievements under Jens Berthel Askou. His team have moved away from last season’s successful style of play and it’s costing them. Taking a leaf out of the former gaffer’s playbook might lead to a turnaround.

Michael: He will be under pressure but Motherwell are not a club that makes knee-jerk reactions.

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson

It was always going to be tough to pick up from where Jens Berthel Askou left off, especially with a couple of star men departing. Johansson needs to make Well tougher to beat and then build from there, or he really will be under fire.

Scott: He won't be under any serious pressure from his bosses at Fir Park who will give him time. But for a support who idolised Jens Berthel Askou last season, they have to see an upturn in performances from Johansson's side very soon to start believing in their new boss.

What do you make of Bruno Fernandes antics at Old Trafford after he took a pop at Manchester Utd boss Michael Carrick’s tactics this week?

Andy: It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. Fernandes is and always has been a selfish so and so more concerned about himself than the good of his team. Carrick might not survive but neither should the Portuguese prima donna.

Michael: It was wild. Fernandez lobbed his boss under the bus and Carrick is unlikely to survive for much longer. The skipper is part of the problem though and it’s time for him to head out the door as well.

Scott: Fernandes' antics and tantrum after their defeat to Como in the Champions League is symptomatic of everything that's been wrong at Man United. Big ego stars who don't want to graft or put a shift in to achieve success - then blame everyone else when results go bad.

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