Martin O'Neill, the man at the helm of Celtic, is set to re‑engineer his side’s tactical blueprint to make the most of the talent at his disposal, especially as he navigates the loss of Hyun‑jun Yang and welcomes back Kasper Høgh. The Danish forward’s brief spell on the sidelines, caused by a lingering groin issue, has forced O'Neill to experiment with alternative attacking options, and the results have been eye‑catching. During Høgh’s three‑match absence, Camilo Duran stepped into the centre‑forward role and made an immediate impact.
The Colombian striker, who joined Celtic from Qarabağ, had previously impressed on the wing but is naturally a number nine. In the 2‑1 win over St Mirren, Duran not only found the back of the net three times across his early appearances, but also supplied the decisive assist for Yang’s winner.
He even had a goal ruled out for off‑side in a controversial decision, underscoring how much influence he can wield when positioned centrally. O'Neill also has another promising option in the form of 18‑year‑old Shim Mheuka, a Chelsea loanee who has already tasted first‑team action.
Mheuka’s own goal was disallowed in the same Paisley encounter, yet his movement and threat level during two substitute appearances have convinced the manager that he could become a regular fixture in the attack. The young English youth international has spoken openly about his ambition, emphasizing his focus on training hard, seizing any minute of game time, and maintaining a positive mindset. "You can’t get anywhere without self‑belief," he said, highlighting the confidence that drives his development. Adding to the forward line’s depth, Callum Osmand is expected to return from an ankle injury next month, further expanding O’Neill’s choices up front.
Meanwhile, the absence of South Korean winger Hyun‑jun Yang for four games due to the Asian Games opens the door for tactical flexibility. O’Neill has hinted that he may revisit the 3‑5‑2 formation that defined his first spell at Celtic, a system that could accommodate both a robust midfield and two strikers, allowing him to rotate his front three based on fitness and form. Ahead of the upcoming clash with St Johnstone, O’Neill addressed the squad on Sky Sports, noting that Kasper Høgh has been training over the past couple of days and that Kieran Tierney has also been involved in light work.
He acknowledged lingering fitness concerns for several players but stressed his intent to field the strongest possible XI once everyone is fully recovered. "Whatever we do, when everybody is absolutely fit, then it’s a matter of trying to get your best players on the field," the 74‑year‑old manager said. He also spoke specifically about Mheuka, saying, "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 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." O’Neill’s confidence in the young forward reflects a broader belief that Celtic now possess more attacking options than they did last season. Beyond Celtic’s own internal dynamics, O’Neill praised the achievements of other young managers in the Scottish Premiership. He singled out Simo Valakari, whose Saints have secured victories in their first two home league games, and Craig McLeish at St Mirren, noting the vitality and commitment they bring to their squads.
"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," O’Neill remarked, drawing parallels between their progressive approaches and his own. Looking forward, O’Neill’s challenge will be to balance the reintegration of returning players like Høgh with the momentum built by stand‑ins such as Duran and Mheuka.
If he can blend the experience of seasoned internationals with the hunger of emerging talent, Celtic could see a more fluid, adaptable system that maximizes goal‑scoring opportunities while maintaining defensive solidity. The manager’s willingness to tweak formations—potentially shifting back to a 3‑5‑2 or experimenting with a modern 4‑3‑3—suggests a pragmatic approach aimed at getting the best out of each individual. In summary, Celtic’s upcoming fixtures will serve as a testing ground for O’Neill’s tactical revisions.
With a deeper attacking roster, a returning striker, and a youthful forward eager to prove himself, the club stands at a crossroads where strategic flexibility could translate into sustained success on the pitch. The manager’s emphasis on fitness, confidence, and player integration underscores a clear vision: when the squad is fully fit, the focus will be on fielding the strongest lineup possible, allowing Celtic to compete fiercely for domestic honors and European qualification.