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 evolve into a full-blown crisis. The 74‑year‑old manager has already hinted that he will assess the situation and consider whether it might be "time to wrap it up" after the 1‑0 defeat to Rangers at Parkhead.
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 Ferencvaros in the Europa League. Each display has been as worrisome as the previous one, leaving supporters uneasy about the remainder of the campaign, especially during the upcoming international break.
Celtic entered this season’s defence of the Scottish Premiership crown with an impressive six‑game winning streak, but even those victories were occasionally unconvincing. Their dramatic collapse in the Champions League play‑off against LASK – squandering a 4‑0 lead to lose 5‑4 on aggregate – raised serious questions about O'Neill’s tactics and the squad’s mental resilience. A disappointing showing against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup last weekend, followed by another lacklustre performance in the Europa League, intensified the pressure on the manager. The subsequent 1‑0 loss to their Old Firm adversaries in front of a 60,000‑strong home crowd only added to the unease.
While Celtic still sit atop the league heading into a three‑week international hiatus, their lead has dwindled to a mere two points rather than the comfortable eight‑point cushion they might have expected. It is tempting to blame the manager when results falter, but the club’s issues run deeper than a single individual. Last season saw fan protests aimed at the board, and calls for structural change have not faded.
Questions linger about the quality and timing of the summer acquisitions. Despite splashing cash on record signing Kasper Høgh, as well as Camilo Duran, Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan before the Champions League exit, the club also rushed in a number of late‑deadline signings.
O'Neill is still experimenting with how best to integrate these newcomers. He has rotated through several midfield options without finding a winning formula. In Sunday’s Old Firm defeat he even abandoned his wingers entirely, opting for a five‑defender setup and pushing Kieran Tierney further forward – yet the result remained unchanged. Celtic have dominated the domestic scene, winning 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 at the board level, especially now that Rangers and Hearts are mounting a more formidable challenge. The summer spending spree has raised expectations, but many fear that a trophy‑less season could send a clear message: having deep pockets is insufficient if the right players are not fielded effectively. Scottish football can shift rapidly, and fortunes can change overnight. O'Neill’s recent history with the club includes two interim spells last season, during which he steadied the ship and secured an unlikely league‑and‑cup double.
After those successes, he decided against retirement and accepted a permanent role at Parkhead, 21 years after his first tenure ended. During his initial spell, the Irishman amassed seven major trophies and guided Celtic to a UEFA Cup final in 2003, establishing a side that was notoriously difficult to beat – a stark contrast to the criticisms levelled at the current squad.
Celtic fans adore O'Neill, yet even the most loyal are beginning to wonder if it might be time for him to step aside. He made bold tactical adjustments after the loss at Ibrox, hoping to spark a turnaround against Ferencvaros, but those changes failed to produce the desired effect. Further alterations for the Rangers match also fell short.
There remains a possibility that O'Neill could replicate last season’s achievements, but if he cannot resolve the underlying squad issues, he risks ending the campaign without any silverware, potentially tarnishing an otherwise illustrious legacy. Amid the gloom, it is easy to forget that Celtic still lead the Scottish Premiership. After the recent defeat, O'Neill told Sky Sports he did not believe there was "very much between the teams" and emphasized that the club’s history proves it will bounce back from a turbulent week. 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 reasonable; the season is far from concluded. Celtic have completed only seven of their 38 league fixtures and still face seven more Europa League games. The current turmoil could yet give way to another successful chapter for the Glasgow giants.
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 Fans can also participate in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available.