Celtic’s incredible domestic unbeaten run is finally at an end.

After 69 matches, the Hoops were undone by a thumping Hearts performance on Sunday that resulted in a shock 4-0 defeat at Tynecastle. While the scoreline itself was something nobody really saw coming, the truth is that Celtic have been below their best for a while now, failing to reach the standard they’ve previously set under Brendan Rodgers.

Important matches are on the horizon, with four to come before the end of December including home games against Rangers and Aberdeen, with the Dons just two points behind in Scottish Premiership table.

There are some issues in the Celtic team that the Hoops boss undoubtedly has to address and failure to make the right decisions could result in some testing times.

These THREE issues are the most glaring…

Sorting out that dismal defence

The biggest issue in the Celtic team right is undoubtedly their shaky defence. It’d be unfair to single out players, the entire defensive unit is malfunctioning right now, whether it’s the tired looking Kieran Tierney, the mistake-heavy central pairing of Jozo Simunovic or the ageing Mikel Lustig.

Changes need to be made, a better way forward needs to be found. Whether that involves investing in new players in next month’s January transfer window or simply shuffling around the selection for a period of matches, the current situation can’t continue.

Rather bizarrely, in the short term the solution could lie in a pairing who are natural midfielders.

Nir Bitton and Kristoffer Ajer have been deployed exclusively as central defenders this season despite a history of midfield play and neither have the baggage that is currently weighing down Simunovic or Boyata. Both are comfortable in possession and at domestic level have done little wrong. Are their calm heads the ones to settle down a dismal defensive line?

Start playing the best striker at the club

You’ll find little argument from any Celtic fans that Moussa Dembele isn’t the club’s best striker. Why then has he not started in the last four league matches despite being fit and ready to go?

The argument could be made that before the home game against Anderlecht he was being rested, but since then he’s been used sparingly and never from the start, despite recently going through a spell of scoring seven goals in the space of eight matches.

Odsonne Edouard has done well but is young and still getting to grips with life at Celtic while Leigh Griffiths is struggling for form.

There’s been far too much rotation in this area of the pitch and Brendan Rodgers needs to let Dembele get a run of games under his belt and show everyone why he is still the main man at the club. Failing to utilise the club’s biggest talent is a mistake and it can’t continue.

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The Craig Gordon problem

Another aspect of Celtic’s dismal defensive displays has been the contribution of Craig Gordon. The Scotland international was impressive adjusting to Brendan Rodgers’ style of play last season, but this term he’s made a number of errors, rushing to judgement in key situations and generally looking nervous behind the faltering back four.

Still an exceptional shot stopper, all other aspects of his game are currently lacking and the Celtic boss needs to consider whether dropping him is the right way to go or not.

Dorus De Vries hasn’t been used much in his stint at Celtic but this season performed superbly against Dundee at Celtic Park and apparently is ready to come in and perform at the required level, with the club even handing him a new contract recently.

The veteran Dutchman may not be a long-term solution, but he deserves a chance in the team and after Gordon’s display against Hearts, it can’t get much worse.