Celtic’s recent struggles have reached a crescendo following another heavy defeat, this time to Ferencvaros in the Europa League, compounding the damage from their shellacking at Ibrox on Sunday. For many supporters, questioning manager Martin O’Neill’s capacity to steer the club through this slump feels almost like sacrilege, yet maintaining faith is becoming increasingly difficult.
The match against the Hungarian side was a study in stagnation and negativity. Celtic displayed absent-mindedness in midfield, loose defending, and a distinct lack of intensity. Their attempts to rally from 3-1 down were distant and hopeful rather than coherent, a stark contrast to the aggressive, dynamic, and risk-taking football that characterized Ange Postecoglou’s tenure.
O’Neill’s post-match comments mirrored his team’s performance—leaden, stale, and disheartening. He spoke of frustration and psychological damage, acknowledging the difficulty of such low moments while promising to regroup before their upcoming Old Firm clash against Rangers. However, his tone lacked conviction, raising questions about whether he currently possesses the answers.
The poor display evoked memories of Celtic’s darker European nights in 2019 and 2020, with low energy levels and loud booing from the home crowd. Key players are struggling to find their form: Camilo Duran, deployed centrally ahead of Kasper Høgh, managed only eight touches in the first half, offering little of the zest he showed upon his arrival. Høgh, who scored prolifically for Bodo Glimt, has now found the net in just one of his eight appearances for Celtic.
The defensive disorganization was further exposed when former Celtic player Daniel Arzani scored a magnificent strike for Ferencvaros, capitalizing on a counter-attack that revealed Celtic’s vulnerability. Callum McGregor, the club’s talisman, also appeared lost in midfield.
O’Neill, known for his ability to restore order and fight in past roles, now faces a significant challenge. The team lacks creativity, ruthlessness, and composure, traits that Rangers will be eager to exploit. With McGregor admitting the squad feels “broken,” Sunday’s fixture at Ibrox looms as a critical test of whether O’Neill can spark a turnaround or if Celtic’s slide will continue.
How can McGregor say the squad feels broken? That’s not leadership, that’s surrendering before the season truly begins.
Ange’s ghost is haunting this stadium. We need a complete overhaul, not just a pep talk from O’Neill.