Pundits Chris Sutton and Ian McCall have voiced significant concerns over Celtic's recent performances, with Sutton stating the club and team are in "regression." This comes after a string of six defeats in 10 matches across all competitions, culminating in a recent Scottish Premiership loss to Falkirk. Despite these results, manager Martin O'Neill remains defiant, pointing to the team's current league position as better than at the same stage last season.
Sutton, speaking on Sky Sports, criticized the team's cohesion and strategy, noting deficiencies in every area and questioning the overall plan. Former Falkirk manager Ian McCall echoed these sentiments, suggesting that age and injuries are impacting key players like Carter-Vickers, Tierney, and McGregor, whose bodies may no longer sustain their previous levels of performance. Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd also expressed confusion about the team's on-field objectives.
The statistics from the Falkirk match highlight Celtic's struggles: they dominated possession with 24 shots to Falkirk's six, nine on target compared to Falkirk's two, and had significantly more touches in the opposition box, yet failed to secure a win. This defeat, following a midweek draw with Dundee United, has allowed rivals Rangers to close the gap at the top of the league.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner noted that Rangers' victory in their League Cup semi-final, combined with Celtic's loss, puts additional pressure on O'Neill's side, especially with a crucial Europa League match looming. He described the situation as a "brilliant weekend for Rangers" and anticipates a difficult midweek game for Celtic.
Despite the mounting criticism, O'Neill emphasized that Celtic is in a better position than they were at the same point last season, when they trailed Hearts by four points. He acknowledged the fans' potential frustration but highlighted the demanding nature of top-level football. O'Neill also defended his team selection strategy, citing the necessity of rotating players due to the club's involvement in European competitions and the high number of games played.
Fans have expressed a range of opinions, with some questioning O'Neill's modern management approach and others calling for significant changes from the board down to the players. One supporter lamented that "the plot has been lost," while another urged for patience, stating, "Keep the faith Celtic fans... stay strong."