Martin O'Neill, the man at the helm of Celtic, is set to tailor his tactical approach around the squad's most influential players as he navigates the challenges presented by Hyun‑jun Yang's unavailability and the return of Kasper Hogh. The Scottish giants have already witnessed a surge in form from Camilo Duran, who stepped into the centre‑forward role while Hogh has been sidelined with a lingering groin injury. During Hogh's three‑match absence, the Colombian striker proved decisive, netting three goals and delivering the assist that secured the winner for Yang in the 2‑1 triumph over St Mirren on Saturday.
Duran also had a goal ruled out for off‑side in that same fixture, underscoring his impact even when the decision did not go his way. Originally recruited from Qarabag as a forward, Duran had previously impressed the Celtic coaching staff playing out wide, but his recent performances in the central attacking position have forced O'Neill to reconsider his preferred line‑up. Adding to the attacking options, O'Neill also has the services of Shim Mheuka, a young Chelsea loanee who has already had a goal controversially disallowed in the Paisley encounter and has shown promise during two substitute appearances.
The 18‑year‑old is eager to cement his place in the squad and has spoken openly about his ambition to make a meaningful contribution whenever he is called upon. Meanwhile, Callum Osmand is expected to return from an ankle injury next month, further expanding O'Neill's choices up front. With South Korean winger Hyun‑jun Yang missing four matches while representing his country at the Asian Games, the Celtic manager is reportedly contemplating a return to the 3‑5‑2 formation he favored during his first spell at Celtic Park. This system, which employs three central defenders, five midfielders, and two forwards, could provide the flexibility needed to accommodate the varied skill sets of players like Duran, Hogh, Mheuka and the returning Osmand.
"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," O'Neill said before Wednesday's match against St Johnstone, speaking on Sky Sports. The 74‑year‑old added that once the squad is fully fit, the priority will be to field his best eleven.
Regarding the teenage forward, O'Neill expressed confidence: "I expect decent things of Shim. I expect him to do well. He's just getting to know the players, the 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 like a player with 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 objective: to make an immediate impact. "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 we want to be because of how confident we are in our abilities and how much we believe in ourselves." The broader Scottish Premiership landscape also provides context for O'Neill's decisions. Simo Valakari's St Johnstone have started their campaign strongly, winning both of their opening home fixtures.
O'Neill praised the young manager's early success, noting, "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." Looking ahead, O'Neill's tactical flexibility will be crucial. If Hogh regains full fitness, he could re‑join the front line alongside Duran, creating a partnership that blends physical presence with technical skill.
Alternatively, a 3‑5‑2 set‑up could see Hogh paired with Mheuka or Osmand, allowing O'Neill to exploit width from wing‑backs while maintaining a solid defensive base. The manager's experience suggests he will not hesitate to experiment, especially when key players are returning from injury or international duty.
In summary, Celtic's upcoming fixtures will serve as a testing ground for O'Neill's strategic adjustments. With a deeper pool of attacking talent than last season, the club is well‑placed to adapt its formation to suit the strengths of its best players, whether that means reverting to a classic 4‑4‑2, embracing a modern 3‑5‑2, or even trying hybrid systems that blend elements of both. The ultimate goal remains clear: to field a side that is both cohesive and capable of delivering the results Celtic fans expect.