Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is set to tailor his tactical approach around the players who have been delivering the strongest performances, especially as he navigates the temporary loss of Hyun‑jun Yang and the anticipated return of Kasper Høgh. The Scottish champions have been forced to adapt over the past few weeks, and O'Neill appears ready to experiment with formations that maximise the strengths of his most effective attackers. During Høgh's three‑match spell on the sidelines with a lingering groin issue, Colombian forward Camilo Duran stepped into the centre‑forward role and made an immediate impact.
Duran found the back of the net three times and also provided the decisive assist for Yang in Celtic's 2‑1 win over St Mirren on Saturday. In addition, he had a goal controversially ruled out for off‑side, a decision that sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. Though Duran originally made his name playing out wide, his move from Qarabağ to Celtic was intended to bolster the striker’s department, and his recent displays suggest he can thrive in a more central position.
O'Neill also has another promising option up front in the shape of 18‑year‑old Shim Mheuka, a Chelsea loanee who has already made his presence felt. Mheuka had a goal disallowed in the Paisley fixture and displayed a real threat during two substitute appearances, hinting at a bright future if he can earn regular minutes. The young English youth international arrived in Glasgow with a clear mission: to prove his worth and carve out a role in a squad that is eager for fresh attacking impetus.
Adding to the forward options, Callum Osmand is expected to return from an ankle injury next month, further expanding O'Neill's choices. Meanwhile, South Korea winger Hyun‑jun Yang missed four matches while representing his country at the Asian Games, leaving a creative void on the flank. These absences have prompted O'Neill to consider revisiting the 3‑5‑2 system he favoured during his initial spell as Celtic manager, a formation that could accommodate both a target man like Høgh and a more mobile striker such as Duran or Mheuka. "We've got Kasper back the last couple of days and Kieran (Tierney) did a little bit of work with us, so we'll have a look to see how they are.
We've got a couple of other fitness issues with players, but will try to go as strongly as we possibly can," the 74‑year‑old manager said ahead of the upcoming clash with St Johnstone, speaking live on Sky Sports. "Whatever we do, when everybody is absolutely fit, then it's a matter of trying to get your best players on the field." O'Neill was particularly upbeat about Mheuka's prospects.
"I expect decent things of Shim," he explained. "I expect him to do well. He's just getting to know the players, getting to know what's expected of him in terms of style of play, what we do with the ball and what we do without it. It's essentially what he does with the ball that will determine not only his time here, but his future in the game, and he looks a player with a lot of potential.
We definitely have got better options up front than we had last season." Mheuka echoed the manager's confidence, stating, "I'm just focused on playing and training, trying to get into that team and come on and make an impact whenever I can. When you come on, in your mind, you want to try and take that one opportunity that might come to you. It's just about staying positive whenever you can, always believing in putting yourself in the right positions and, ultimately, I'll get chances.
You can't get anywhere without self‑belief. We're all in positions where we want to be because of how confident we are in our abilities and how much we believe in ourselves." Beyond Celtic, O'Neill praised the achievements of Simo Valakari's Saints, who have won their first two home Premiership matches. "It's nice to see really talented young managers doing well," he said. "They want to play football and they're committed.
There's a vitality about them which is very, very encouraging. Not dissimilar in many aspects to what Craig McLeish is doing at St Mirren." Looking ahead, O'Neill's tactical flexibility will be tested as he balances the reintegration of Høgh, the continued development of Duran and Mheuka, and the eventual return of Yang. If he can successfully blend a solid defensive base with a dynamic attacking trio, Celtic could regain the momentum that has been missing during the early part of the season. The manager's willingness to adapt, whether by reverting to a 3‑5‑2 or tweaking his midfield shape, signals a proactive approach aimed at extracting the maximum from his squad's depth.
In summary, the upcoming weeks will be crucial for Celtic. The manager's strategic adjustments, the players' fitness levels, and the integration of emerging talents will all play a part in shaping the team's trajectory.
Fans will be watching closely to see whether O'Neill's willingness to re‑engineer his system will translate into consistent results on the pitch, potentially setting the stage for a stronger title challenge as the season progresses.