Martin O'Neill, the man at the helm of Celtic, is set to re‑engineer his side’s tactical approach to get the maximum out of his most effective talent pool as he navigates the squad’s current injury puzzle. With Hyun‑jun Yang still sidelined for the Asian Games and the recent return of Kasper Hogh after a three‑match lay‑off caused by a groin problem, the manager faces a delicate balancing act. During Hogh’s brief absence, Colombian forward Camilo Duran stepped into the centre‑forward role and made an immediate impact. In the 2‑1 win over St Mirren, Duran not only found the back of the net three times across his recent outings but also delivered the decisive assist for Yang’s goal on Saturday.
He even had a goal ruled out for a contentious off‑side call, underlining how close he came to adding another tally. Although Duran originally arrived at Celtic from Qarabag as a striker, he initially impressed the coaching staff playing out wide, showcasing his versatility and willingness to adapt his positioning to the team’s needs. O’Neill also has another promising option up front: Shim Mheuka, an 18‑year‑old loanee from Chelsea. Mheuka’s brief cameo at Celtic has already seen a goal disallowed in the Paisley clash, and his two substitute appearances have hinted at a genuine threat in the final third.
The young English youth international is eager to prove his worth, stating that he concentrates on training, staying positive and seizing any chance to influence a match. His confidence and self‑belief echo the mindset O’Neill wants across his squad. Adding to the forward options, Callum Osmand is expected to return from an ankle injury next month, further expanding the manager’s choices. With the South Korean winger Yang missing four fixtures for the Asian Games, O’Neill may be tempted to revert to the 3‑5‑2 formation that served him well during his first spell in charge of the Hoops.
That system would accommodate three central defenders, provide wing‑back width, and allow two strikers to operate in tandem – a setup that could feature Hogh, Duran, Mheuka or Osmand depending on fitness and form. Ahead of the upcoming clash with St Johnstone, O’Neill spoke to Sky Sports, emphasizing the importance of fitness and the desire to field his best eleven. "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. 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 teenage 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, 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.
We definitely have got better options up front than we had last season." Mheuka echoed that sentiment, explaining his personal philosophy: "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 you want to be because of how confident we are in our abilities and how much we believe in ourselves." The manager also praised the performances of Simo Valakari’s St Johnstone side, who have won their first two home Premiership fixtures. "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," O’Neill observed, highlighting the fresh energy that younger coaches bring to the Scottish game. Looking ahead, O’Neill’s tactical flexibility will be crucial. If Hogh regains full fitness, he could resume his role as a target man, using his physical presence to hold up play and bring midfield runners into the attack.
Duran, with his proven goal‑scoring record, could be rotated in to exploit spaces behind a high line, while Mheuka’s pace and technical ability make him a natural fit for a more fluid, pressing system. The potential re‑introduction of a 3‑5‑2 could also allow wing‑backs like Kieran Tierney to surge forward, providing width and crossing opportunities for the forwards. Injury management will remain a constant theme.
The club’s medical team will need to monitor Yang’s recovery from his Asian Games commitments, while ensuring Hogh’s groin does not flare up again. The depth O’Neill now possesses – with multiple forwards capable of delivering goals – gives him the luxury of rotating players without a drastic drop in quality.
Ultimately, the success of O’Neill’s plan will hinge on how quickly the squad can gel around any new formation and how effectively the young talents adapt to the demands of top‑flight football. If the manager can blend the experience of returning players with the hunger of emerging prospects, Celtic could enjoy a potent attacking display that compensates for any lingering absences and keeps them in contention for domestic honors. (Additional promotional text omitted as it does not pertain to the article’s core content.)