Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is set to tailor his tactical approach around the squad's most influential figures as he navigates the loss of Hyun-jun Yang and the comeback of Kasper Hogh. The manager has already seen Camilo Duran thrive in the central striker role while Hogh has been sidelined with a groin injury. Duran, the Colombian forward, found the net three times and also supplied the decisive assist for Yang in Celtic's 2-1 triumph over St Mirren on Saturday, even though one of his goals was controversially ruled out for off‑side.
Though Duran originally made his name playing on the wing, he arrived at Celtic from Qarabag as a centre‑forward and has adapted impressively to that position. O'Neill also has another promising option up front in the form of Shim Mheuka, a Chelsea loanee who, like Duran, had a goal disallowed in the Paisley fixture and has shown a genuine threat during two substitute outings. The 18‑year‑old is eager to cement his place in the starting eleven and has already spoken about his desire to make an impact whenever he is given a chance. "I’m focused on training, playing and making a contribution whenever I can," Mheuka said.
"When you step onto the pitch you want to seize that one opportunity, stay positive, put yourself in the right positions and eventually the chances will come. Confidence is essential – we’re all where we are because we believe in our abilities." In addition, Callum Osmand is expected to return from an ankle problem next month, giving O'Neill further depth up front. With South Korean winger Hyun‑jun Yang missing four games due to his participation in the Asian Games, the manager might be tempted to revisit the 3‑5‑2 formation he favoured during his first spell at Celtic.
That system could accommodate the returning Hogh, the in‑form Duran and the youthful exuberance of Mheuka while providing a solid midfield base. Ahead of the upcoming clash with St Johnstone, O'Neill addressed the media on Sky Sports, noting the progress of returning players. "We have Kasper back in training these past couple of days and Kieran (Tierney) has been working with us as well, so we’ll assess how they are feeling.
We have a few other fitness concerns, but we’ll aim to field the strongest side possible," the 74‑year‑old said. He added that once the squad is fully fit, the priority will be to field the best‑available players. "When everyone is at 100 per cent, it’s about getting our top talent onto the pitch," O'Neill emphasized. The manager also expressed optimism about Mheuka's potential.
"I expect good things from Shim. He’s still learning the team’s style, how we play with and without the ball, and his performances with the ball will dictate not only his time here but his future in the game," O'Neill explained.
"We certainly have more attacking options than we did last season." Beyond Celtic, O'Neill praised the achievements of younger managers in the Scottish Premiership, specifically naming Simo Valakari’s Saints, who have secured victories in their first two home league matches. "It’s encouraging to see talented young coaches succeeding.
They have a real passion for the game and a vitality that reminds me of Craig McLeish’s work at St Mirren," O'Neill remarked. Looking ahead, O'Neill will have to decide whether to stick with a traditional 4‑3‑3 setup that has served Celtic well in recent campaigns, or to shift to a more fluid 3‑5‑2 that could maximise the aerial presence of Kasper Hogh, the pace of Duran, and the versatility of Mheuka.
The decision will hinge on the fitness of key players, the tactical demands of each opponent, and the manager’s desire to keep his squad motivated by giving them roles that suit their strengths. If Hogh returns to full fitness quickly, O'Neill may deploy him as a target man, using his height and hold‑up play to bring Duran and Mheuka into dangerous positions.
Should Yang remain unavailable, the manager could also experiment with a wide‑forward role for the South Korean, perhaps positioning him as an inverted winger to cut inside and create space for overlapping full‑backs. In any case, the Celtic hierarchy appears confident that the squad depth, combined with O'Neill’s tactical flexibility, will allow the team to maintain its competitive edge in the Scottish Premiership. Fans can look forward to a season where the manager’s willingness to adapt his system to the strengths of his best players could produce an exciting brand of football, while also providing a platform for emerging talents like Shim Mheuka to shine on a larger stage.