Martin O'Neill, the man at the helm of Celtic, is set to tailor his tactical approach around the squad's most effective contributors as he navigates the challenges posed by Hyun‑jun Yang's unavailability and the anticipated return of Kasper Hogh. The Danish forward, who has been sidelined for three matches due to a lingering groin injury, left a noticeable void that was partially filled by Colombian striker Camilo Duran. During Hogh's absence, Duran stepped into the centre‑forward role and made an immediate impact, scoring three goals and providing the decisive assist for Yang in Celtic's 2‑1 triumph over St Mirren on Saturday. He also had a goal controversially ruled out for off‑side, underscoring his growing influence on the pitch.
Duran's journey to Celtic began at Qarabag, where he originally operated as a forward before being deployed on the wings at Celtic. His versatility has proved valuable, yet O'Neill now possesses another promising option up front: 18‑year‑old Shim Mheuka, a Chelsea loanee who also saw a goal disallowed in the Paisley encounter and displayed genuine threat during two substitute appearances. Mheuka's performances have caught the eye, and his ambition to cement a place in the starting eleven is evident.
Adding to the forward options, Callum Osmand is expected to return from an ankle injury next month, while South Korean winger Hyun‑jun Yang is set to miss four games while representing his nation at the Asian Games. These absences give O'Neill the latitude to experiment with the 3‑5‑2 formation he favored during his first spell as Celtic manager, a system that could accommodate the varied skill sets of his attacking personnel. "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 Wednesday's clash with St Johnstone, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
He added, "Whatever we do, when everybody is absolutely fit, then it's a matter of trying to get your best players on the field." Regarding the young loanee, O'Neill expressed confidence: "I expect decent things of Shim. 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 great potential.
We definitely have got better options up front than we had last season." Mheuka, who has represented England at youth level, arrived in Glasgow with a clear mission to make an immediate impression. "I'm just focused on playing and training, trying to get into that team and come on and make an impact whenever I can," he explained. "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 you want to be because of how confident we are in our abilities and how much we believe in ourselves." The broader context of the Scottish Premiership also features emerging managerial talent.
Simo Valakari's Saints have secured victories in their first two home league fixtures, prompting O'Neill to commend the progress of young coaches. "It's nice to see really talented young managers doing well.
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," he observed. Looking ahead, O'Neill's tactical flexibility will be crucial.
The potential reintegration of Kasper Hogh, who brings a physical presence and aerial prowess, could allow Celtic to revert to a more traditional 4‑3‑3 or maintain a hybrid system that blends a central striker with wide forwards. Meanwhile, the return of Hyun‑jun Yang will restore pace and creativity on the flank, giving O'Neill additional avenues to exploit against opponents.
Injury management remains a key concern. Besides the recovering Hogh and Osmand, other squad members are dealing with minor fitness setbacks. O'Neill's medical team will need to monitor workloads carefully to avoid further setbacks, especially as the season intensifies with European commitments and domestic cup runs. The upcoming match at St Johnstone will serve as an early litmus test for O'Neill's revised approach.
If the manager can field a fit lineup that blends the experience of veterans like Kieran Tierney with the youthful exuberance of Duran, Mheuka, and the returning Hogh, Celtic could showcase a dynamic, adaptable style that maximizes the strengths of each player. Beyond the tactical nuances, the club's broader strategy emphasizes developing homegrown talent while integrating promising loanees. This philosophy aligns with Celtic's historic commitment to nurturing Scottish players, yet also acknowledges the modern game's demand for diverse skill sets. In summary, Martin O'Neill stands at a crossroads where player availability, tactical experimentation, and youth development intersect.
By potentially reshaping his formation to highlight the abilities of his most effective attackers—whether that means a return to a 3‑5‑2, a shift to a 4‑2‑3‑1, or a fluid hybrid—he aims to keep Celtic competitive on all fronts. The forthcoming fixtures will reveal how successfully he can meld these elements into a cohesive, winning formula.