Martin O'Neill’s legacy at Celtic is unquestionable; the Irish manager has become a figure of reverence among the Hoops faithful. Yet recent performances have sparked a debate: does the club need a fresh direction before a series of setbacks spirals into a full‑blown crisis? The 74‑year‑old has already hinted that he will evaluate the situation and consider whether it might be "time to wrap it up" after Celtic’s 1‑0 defeat to Rangers at Parkhead.
That loss marked their second setback against their Old Firm rivals within a single week – a week that also saw them tumble 3‑1 to Ferencváros in the Europa League. Each display in recent days has raised eyebrows, leaving supporters uneasy about what the remainder of the campaign could hold if no adjustments are made during the upcoming international break.
Celtic began their defence of the Scottish Premiership title with six consecutive victories, but many of those wins were far from convincing. Their dramatic collapse in the Champions League play‑off against LASK – squandering a 4‑0 lead to lose 5‑4 on aggregate – has intensified scrutiny of O'Neill’s tactics and the squad’s mental resilience. A disappointing loss to Rangers in the Scottish League Cup last weekend, followed by the lacklustre showing in Europe, has amplified the pressure on the manager.
The 1‑0 defeat in front of 60,000 Parkhead fans was a stark reminder that the gap between Celtic and their rivals is narrowing; they still sit atop the league, but only by two points instead of the eight‑point cushion they once enjoyed. It is tempting to lay the blame squarely at O'Neill’s feet when results falter, yet the club’s challenges run deeper than a single manager’s decisions. Last season saw fan protests targeting the board, and calls for structural change have persisted.
Questions have been raised about the timing and quality of the summer signings. Celtic broke their transfer record for Kasper Høgh and also added Camilo Duran, Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan before their Champions League exit. Additional players arrived late in the window, leaving O'Neill to integrate a sizable influx of talent while the season was already underway. The manager has experimented with various midfield combinations without finding a winning formula.
In the most recent Old Firm defeat he even omitted his wingers, opting for a five‑defender setup and pushing Kieran Tierney further forward – a gamble that produced the same disappointing result. Historically, Celtic have secured 14 of the last 15 league titles, often maintaining dominance even after selling key players.
Some supporters argue that this domestic supremacy has bred complacency at the board level, especially now that Rangers and Hearts are mounting a more formidable challenge. The summer’s spending spree has been substantial, yet many fans fear that a trophy‑less season could send a clear message: having deep pockets is not a substitute for assembling the right squad chemistry on the pitch.
Scottish football can change course rapidly. O'Neill previously stepped in as interim manager twice last season, stabilising the ship and guiding Celtic to an unlikely league and cup double. After those interim stints, the 74‑year‑old decided to abandon retirement and accept a permanent role at Parkhead, returning 21 years after his first spell ended. During his initial tenure, O'Neill delivered seven major trophies and led Celtic to the UEFA Cup final in 2003, establishing a side that was notoriously hard to beat.
The current squad, however, appears far less resilient, prompting even the most ardent supporters to wonder whether the time has come for O'Neill to step aside. He made bold tactical calls after the loss at Ibrox, hoping to reverse fortunes ahead of the mid‑week clash with Ferencváros – calls that failed to produce the desired effect. Further adjustments for the Rangers game also fell short. While O'Neill still possesses the capacity to replicate last season’s achievements, failure to address the squad’s underlying issues could result in a season without silverware and a blemish on his otherwise illustrious legacy.
Amid the gloom, it is easy to overlook that Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership. After the defeat to Rangers, O'Neill told Sky Sports that he did not believe there was "very much between the teams" and insisted that the club’s history guarantees a fight back from a week of turmoil. He called for perspective, asking, "Is it a disaster?
I don't think so. We have to rethink and reset." His assessment is sensible; the season is far from concluded.
Celtic have completed only seven of their 38 league fixtures and still face seven more Europa League matches. The current turbulence could still resolve into another successful campaign for the Hoops. Upcoming fixtures include: - October 11: Motherwell vs Celtic, kickoff 12 pm – live on Sky Sports - October 15: Benfica vs Celtic, kickoff 8 pm (Europa League) - October 18: Celtic vs Hearts, kickoff 3 pm - October 22: Celtic vs Celta Vigo, kickoff 8 pm (Europa League) - October 25: Hibernian vs Celtic, kickoff 12 pm – live on Sky Sports - October 28: Celtic vs Dundee United, kickoff 7.45 pm The road ahead remains uncertain, but with strategic adjustments and a renewed focus, O'Neill and his squad still have the opportunity to steer Celtic back toward the success their supporters expect.