Martin O'Neill’s status at Celtic is undeniably iconic, yet recent setbacks have sparked a debate about whether a change is required before the club’s difficulties spiral into a full‑blown crisis. The 74‑year‑old manager has already hinted that he will assess the situation after the 1‑0 defeat to Rangers at Parkhead and consider whether it might be "time to wrap it up." That loss marked the second setback against their Old Firm rivals within a single week, a week that also saw Celtic fall 3‑1 to Ferencváros in the Europa League. Each display in recent weeks has raised eyebrows among the Hoops faithful, who are now wondering what the remainder of the campaign will bring 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 – surrendering a 4‑0 lead to lose 5‑4 on aggregate – has intensified scrutiny of both O'Neill and his squad.
The disappointment continued with a lacklustre showing against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup, followed by the embarrassing Europa League defeat. The subsequent 1‑0 loss to their Old Firm opponents in front of a 60,000‑strong home crowd only added fuel to the fire.
Although Celtic still sit atop the league table heading into a three‑week international hiatus, their lead has shrunk to a mere two points instead of the comfortable eight‑point cushion they could have enjoyed. It is tempting to blame the manager when results falter, but Celtic’s issues run deeper than a single individual’s tactics.
Last season saw fan protests aimed at the club’s board, and calls for a change at the top have not faded. Questions have also been raised about the quality and timing of this summer’s signings. While the club secured record‑breaking acquisition Kasper Høgh along with Camilo Duran, Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan before their Champions League exit, a flurry of late‑deadline additions further complicated squad integration.
O’Neill is still searching for the optimal way to utilise these newcomers. He has experimented with a variety of midfield options without finding a winning formula. In Sunday’s Old Firm defeat he even abandoned his usual wingers, opting for a back‑five and pushing Kieran Tierney further forward, yet the result remained unchanged. Celtic have dominated the domestic scene for 14 of the last 15 league titles, often without adequately replacing key players who have departed.
Some supporters argue that this sustained supremacy has bred complacency within the board, especially now that Rangers and Hearts are presenting a far sterner challenge. The summer’s spending spree has been substantial, but many fear that a trophy‑less season could send a clear message: having a massive bank balance is insufficient without the right personnel on the pitch. Scottish football is notorious for its rapid shifts in fortune, and O’Neill’s track record offers both reassurance and caution. He returned to Celtic twice last season as an interim manager, steadying a floundering side and delivering an unlikely league‑and‑cup double.
The 74‑year‑old then chose to abandon retirement and accept a permanent role at Parkhead, 21 years after his first tenure ended. During his initial spell, O’Neill guided Celtic to seven major trophies and a UEFA Cup final in 2003, creating a side that was notoriously difficult to beat – a stark contrast to the vulnerability displayed this season.
While the Celtic faithful still hold O’Neill in high regard, even the most devoted fans are beginning to wonder if it might be time for him to step aside. He made bold tactical calls after the loss at Ibrox, hoping to spark a turnaround ahead of the mid‑week clash with Ferencváros, but those adjustments failed to produce the desired effect. Further changes for the Sunday encounter with Rangers also fell flat. O’Neill still has the capacity to replicate last season’s successes, yet if he cannot resolve the underlying squad issues, he risks ending his tenure with a barren trophy cabinet and a blemished legacy.
Amidst the gloom, it is easy to forget that Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership. After the recent defeat, O’Neill told Sky Sports that he did not believe there was "very much between the teams" and reminded listeners that the club’s history proves it will bounce back from a week of turmoil.
He called for perspective, stating: "It’s concerning. Is it a disaster?
I don’t think so. We have to rethink and reset." His assessment is sensible – the season is far from over. Celtic have played only seven of their 38 league fixtures and still have seven Europa League games pending.
The current turbulence could still resolve into another successful campaign for the Hoops. Upcoming fixtures include: - October 11: Motherwell vs Celtic, kickoff 12:00 pm – live on Sky Sports - October 15: Benfica vs Celtic, kickoff 8:00 pm (Europa League) - October 18: Celtic vs Hearts, kickoff 3:00 pm - October 22: Celtic vs Celta Vigo, kickoff 8:00 pm (Europa League) - October 25: Hibernian vs Celtic, kickoff 12:00 pm – live on Sky Sports - October 28: Celtic vs Dundee United, kickoff 7:45 pm Fans also have a chance to win £250,000 by entering the free Super 6 competition.
The path forward remains uncertain, but with strategic adjustments and a renewed focus on squad cohesion, O’Neill and Celtic could still steer the season back onto a victorious trajectory.