Martin O'Neill’s status at Celtic is undeniably iconic, yet recent performances have sparked a debate about whether a shift is required before the club’s difficulties evolve 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, contemplating whether it might be "time to wrap it up." That loss was the second setback to their Old Firm rivals within a single week, a week that also saw Celtic fall 3‑1 to Ferencvaros in the Europa League.
Each display in recent weeks has raised eyebrows, leaving supporters uneasy about the remainder of the campaign, especially with the international break looming. Celtic began their title defence 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 advantage to lose 5‑4 on aggregate – has intensified scrutiny of O'Neill’s tactics and the squad’s mental resilience. A disappointing showing against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup, followed by a lacklustre performance in Europe, amplified the pressure on the manager.
The subsequent 1‑0 loss to Rangers in front of a 60,000‑strong home crowd only deepened concerns. Although Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership heading into a three‑week international hiatus, their lead has been reduced to a mere two points rather than the comfortable eight‑point cushion they might have expected. It is tempting to lay the blame squarely at O'Neill’s feet when results falter, but the club’s issues extend beyond the dugout. Last season witnessed fan protests targeting the board, and calls for a change in leadership have persisted.
Questions have been raised about the quality and timing of the summer acquisitions. While the club secured record signing Kasper Høgh along with Camilo Duran, Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan before the Champions League exit, a flurry of late‑deadline signings further complicated squad integration.
O'Neill is still searching for the optimal way to deploy these newcomers. Experimentation in midfield has yielded little success, and in the most recent Old Firm defeat he even omitted his wingers entirely, opting for a five‑defender formation and pushing Kieran Tierney further forward. The result was unchanged – a narrow loss that underscored deeper tactical dilemmas. Celtic have dominated the domestic scene, clinching 14 of the last 15 league titles, often without adequately replacing key players who have departed.
Some fans argue that sustained domestic superiority has bred complacency at the executive level, especially as Rangers and Hearts present more formidable challenges this season. Financially, Celtic have splashed out on a number of high‑profile signings, yet many supporters fear that a season without silverware will send a clear message: simply having a large bank balance does not outweigh the necessity of fielding the right players. Scottish football is notorious for its rapid swings in fortune, and the club must act swiftly. O'Neill’s recent history with Celtic includes two interim stints last season, during which he steadied a faltering side and guided them to an unlikely league‑and‑cup double.
Deciding that retirement was not yet on his agenda, he accepted a permanent role at Parkhead, 21 years after his initial spell concluded. During his first tenure, O'Neill amassed seven major trophies and led Celtic to a UEFA Cup final in 2003, establishing a side that was notoriously difficult to beat – a stark contrast to the criticisms leveled at the current squad.
The loyalty of Celtic’s fanbase towards O'Neill remains strong, yet even the most devoted supporters are beginning to wonder whether it might be time for him to step aside. After the recent loss at Ibrox, O'Neill made bold tactical adjustments heading into the mid‑week clash with Ferencvaros, but those changes failed to produce the desired outcome. Further alterations for the Rangers game also fell short. There is still a possibility for O'Neill to replicate the achievements of the previous season, but if he cannot address the fundamental issues within the squad, he risks ending the campaign without any trophies, potentially tarnishing an otherwise illustrious legacy.
Amid the gloom, it is easy to overlook the fact that Celtic still sit atop the Scottish Premiership table. Following the defeat to Rangers, O'Neill told Sky Sports that he did not believe there was a significant gap between the two teams and emphasized that the club’s history demonstrates an ability to rebound from adversity.
He urged a measured perspective, stating: "It's concerning. Is it a disaster? I don't think so.
We have to rethink and reset." His assessment is fair – the season is far from concluded. Celtic have completed only seven of their 38 league fixtures and still have seven Europa League matches to contest. The current turbulence could yet give way to another successful season for Celtic, provided the club can find the right balance on and off the pitch.
Upcoming fixtures include: - October 11: Motherwell vs Celtic, kickoff 12:00pm – live on Sky Sports - October 15: Benfica vs Celtic, kickoff 8:00pm (Europa League) - October 18: Celtic vs Hearts, kickoff 3:00pm - October 22: Celtic vs Celta Vigo, kickoff 8:00pm (Europa League) - October 25: Hibernian vs Celtic, kickoff 12:00pm – live on Sky Sports - October 28: Celtic vs Dundee United, kickoff 7:45pm The club also promotes a Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £250,000, with free entry for participants. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether O'Neill can steer Celtic back to dominance or if a new direction will be required to restore the club’s winning pedigree.