Martin O'Neill’s legacy at Celtic is unquestionable; the 74‑year‑old Irishman has become a figure of reverence among the Hoops faithful. Yet recent performances have sparked a debate about whether a change is required before the club’s current difficulties evolve into a full‑blown crisis. Following a 1‑0 defeat to Rangers at Parkhead, O'Neill publicly stated that he will assess the situation and decide if it is "time to wrap it up." That loss was the second setback at the hands of their Old Firm rivals within a single week, a week that also saw Celtic tumble 3‑1 to Ferencváros in the Europa League.
Each display has left supporters uneasy, prompting concerns about the remainder of the campaign, especially with the international break looming. Celtic entered this defence of their Scottish Premiership crown with a perfect run of six victories, but even those wins were occasionally unconvincing. The most glaring sign of trouble came in the Champions League play‑off against LASK, where Celtic surrendered a 4‑0 first‑leg advantage and were eliminated 5‑4 on aggregate. That collapse raised serious questions about O'Neill’s tactics and the squad’s mental resilience.
The situation worsened after a lacklustre showing against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup, followed by the embarrassing Europa League loss. The 1‑0 defeat in front of 60,000 home fans was a bitter pill to swallow. While Celtic still sit atop the league table heading into a three‑week international hiatus, their lead is a precarious two points rather than the dominant eight‑point cushion they could have enjoyed.
It is tempting to blame the manager when results falter, but Celtic’s challenges run deeper than a single individual’s decisions. Last season saw fan protests aimed at the club’s board, and calls for structural change have not faded. The timing and quality of the summer signings have also come under scrutiny. Although the club splashed cash on record‑breaking acquisition Kasper Høgh, as well as Camilo Duran, Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan before the Champions League exit, a flurry of late‑deadline deals further complicated squad integration.
O'Neill has been experimenting with various midfield configurations without finding a winning formula. In the most recent Old Firm defeat he even omitted his wingers entirely, opting for a five‑defender line and pushing Kieran Tierney further forward.
The result was the same: a narrow loss that left the team looking disjointed. Celtic have claimed 14 of the last 15 league titles, often succeeding despite the sale of key players. Some supporters argue that domestic dominance has bred complacency at the board level, and the growing challenges posed by Rangers and Hearts are evidence that the old formula may no longer suffice. Despite a hefty summer spend, many fear that a trophy‑less season would send a clear message: financial muscle alone cannot replace the need for the right personnel on the pitch.
Scottish football can change course rapidly. O'Neill stepped in twice last season as an interim manager, steadying a ship that seemed destined for disaster and ultimately delivering a league‑and‑cup double that many thought impossible.
After that success, he chose not to retire and accepted a permanent role at Parkhead, returning 21 years after his initial tenure ended. During his first spell, O'Neill amassed seven major trophies and guided Celtic to a UEFA Cup final in 2003, establishing a side that was notoriously hard to beat—a stark contrast to the vulnerability displayed this season. The affection Celtic fans hold for O'Neill remains strong, yet even the most loyal are beginning to wonder if it might be time for him to step aside. He made bold tactical calls after the Ibrox loss, hoping to spark a turnaround ahead of the midweek clash with Ferencváros; those adjustments failed to produce the desired effect.
Further changes for the Rangers game also fell short. If O'Neill can replicate the achievements of the previous season, his legacy will remain intact. However, if he cannot resolve the fundamental issues within the squad, he risks ending his tenure with a barren trophy cabinet and a blemished reputation.
Amid the gloom, it is easy to forget that Celtic still lead the Scottish Premiership. After the recent defeat, O'Neill told Sky Sports that he does not see a huge gap between the teams and reminded everyone that the club’s history proves it will rebound from adversity.
He called for perspective, asking, "Is it a disaster? I don't think so. We have to rethink and reset." His assessment is reasonable; the season is far from over. Celtic have played only seven of their 38 league fixtures and still have seven Europa League matches to contest.
The current turbulence could still resolve into another successful campaign for the Hoops. Upcoming fixtures include: - October 11: Motherwell vs Celtic, 12:00 pm – live on Sky Sports - October 15: Benfica vs Celtic, 8:00 pm (Europa League) - October 18: Celtic vs Hearts, 3:00 pm - October 22: Celtic vs Celta Vigo, 8:00 pm (Europa League) - October 25: Hibernian vs Celtic, 12:00 pm – live on Sky Sports - October 28: Celtic vs Dundee United, 7:45 pm The club also promotes a Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £250,000, with free entry for participants. While the road ahead is uncertain, Celtic’s storied history and the resilience of its supporters suggest that the season could still end on a high note, provided the necessary adjustments are made promptly.