Balde just returned to the Celtic squad, bringing some much-needed stability to an injury-depleted back line otherwise made up mostly of displaced midfielders. On his return, the leaky Celtic defense suddenly managed two straight clean sheets. The second one can be partially credited to the return of Artur Boruc, but there was a definite difference in the defensive play over the past few weeks. Now, as Celtic weathers a long time off (their next match isn’t until the 12th, with a pretty pedestrian cup tie against Stirling Albion), they will lose this stabilizing force once again. Whether Wee Gordon brings in any new defenders in January is yet to be seen – looks likely he’ll pick up Hinkel and Coelho. Still, though he doesn’t have the worries of a Harry Redknapp right now, I’m sure Strachan would prefer not to lose yet another of his limited defensive options.