Chris Sutton believes starting Camilo Durán through the middle and using Kasper Høgh from the bench could help Martin O’Neill get more from his Celtic attack.

The manager has plenty of forward options, but finding the right combination is proving difficult.

Durán, Høgh and Callum Osmand started Wednesday’s draw with Dundee United, with Haissem Hassan, Shumaira Mheuka and Jota among the alternatives on the bench.

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By half-time, O’Neill had seen enough to change it. Høgh and Osmand came off, with Hassan and Jota introduced to give Celtic more natural width. Jota went on to supply Liam Scales’ equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Parkhead.

There was an obvious frustration in watching that second half. Some of the deliveries going into the box were exactly the sort you would have wanted Høgh on the pitch to attack.

Instead, the striker was already sitting on the bench.

Sutton believes his former manager needs to reconsider that approach. In the comments supplied, he said:

“If Hogh does start, O’Neill can’t hook him at half-time if it’s not going to plan. I’ve been in games like these and sometimes the chances come late on when defences start to tire.

“It’s a bit unfair doing the leg work only to get removed while someone else gets the benefit, leaving you getting slaughtered.

“Starting on the bench might be a better solution for him. Play Duran through the middle and then bring Hogh on to mix things up.

“He might come on and score when Celtic are comfortable or he could even pop up with a crucial goal to win a match.

“Either way, he needs something to happen.” [RecordSport]

It is a reasonable suggestion, particularly when accommodating Høgh means moving Celtic’s most productive forward away from the central position.

Durán has continued to score from the right, but that does not automatically make it the best place to use him. Starting him through the middle would also open a place for a winger who can give Celtic more consistent service from out wide.

Høgh’s struggles cannot all be blamed on those around him. He has had opportunities and needs to offer more. But Callum McGregor has already stressed the squad’s responsibility to help him, and the balance of the attack is part of that.

There is little benefit in starting a penalty-box striker, struggling to supply him and then introducing the players most likely to create his chances after taking him off.

Sutton’s suggestion would give O’Neill a different route. Durán could lead the attack from the start, with Høgh available to offer a fresh threat as the game develops.

Sunday’s trip to Falkirk will test whichever combination the manager chooses. The hosts have won their last three league matches, including back-to-back clean sheets against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.

O’Neill has the attacking options to change things. Getting them into positions where they can help each other is the decision he needs to get right.