Marvin Bartley – System not to blame for Celtic’s defensive errors

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The Celtic Star

·30 December 2025

Marvin Bartley – System not to blame for Celtic’s defensive errors

Livingston first-team coach Marvin Bartley has dismissed suggestions that Celtic’s recent defensive lapses stem from Wilfried Nancy’s tactical setup…

Cristian Montaño of Livingston challenges for a header during the Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

His comments followed an eventful Scottish Premiership encounter in West Lothian on Saturday, where the Hoops came through 4-2 winners.

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Livingston went ahead twice in the first 10 minutes, only for Celtic to respond each time before pulling clear to secure back-to-back victories in the league for the first time since the start of the month.

Now, Bartley has argued that the issues lie not with the 3-4-2-1 formation itself, but with individual errors, insisting certain players must take greater responsibility for their defensive duties.

Livingston celebrate secod goal scored by Cristian Montano during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025.. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Speaking on his regular spot on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Bartley said: “I’ve seen a few people speak about Celtic defensively. I don’t think it’s anything to do with the system.

“Having watched it first-hand yesterday [Saturday], I think players need to do better in certain situations. The second goal, where Yang is too honest as a wing-back, he goes back, he challenges with Stevie May, it falls to Cristian [Montano], and he puts the ball in the back of the net, and I think Ralston needs to step out in terms of the first one.”

The former Hibernian midfielder added: “I don’t think it’s anything to do with systems. In those situations, those players, Ralston for that goal, needs to do a lot better, and you don’t often say this with wingers, but Yang’s probably been too honest and worked too hard to get himself back in that our left-back is free to put the ball in the back of the net.

Benjamin Nygren of Celtic celebrates scoring during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025.. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

“From a Celtic point of view, I saw a lot of positives in what they’re trying to do. But it definitely looks like a system that needs probably three players minimum to come in and enhance what they’re trying to do at this moment in time.”

Celtic are in action this evening against Motherwell at Fir Park as they aim to make it three wins on the bounce heading into Saturday’s Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park.

Conor Spence

READ THIS…Motherwell v Celtic – A tough challenge but Hoops can prevail at Fir Park

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John Hartson, at the Celtic Star Books launch at the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park for Matt Corr’s Majic, Stan and the King of Japan. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

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