O’Neill wants Celtic to master ‘number of systems’ as Duran position comes into focus

The Colombian has started the Hoops’ opening two Premiership matches on the right flank, with record signing Kasper Høgh preferred through the middle.

Duran showed what he can offer from that position during Sunday’s 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock, causing problems down the right and providing the cross for Høgh to complete his hat-trick.

However, O’Neill believes the summer arrival may ultimately be better suited to a more central role and suggested Celtic could become more flexible with their shape to accommodate the attacking options at his disposal.

O’Neill said via Daily Record: “Duran, I think perhaps even playing out of position at this moment, I think he’s a centre forward or he can play off the centre forward.

“So I think we have to be a bit more flexible in our teams as well, too. We should be able to play a number of systems without too much bother.”

Duran was deployed on the right against both Dundee and Kilmarnock, despite having shown his threat through the middle during pre-season.

He scored from central areas in all three of Celtic’s pre-season fixtures before being shifted wide following the arrival of Høgh.

The pair have nevertheless shown encouraging signs together, but O’Neill’s comments suggest supporters could soon see Duran operating closer to the Celtic striker as the manager looks to get the best out of his new-look attack.