Martin O’Neill hints at system change to accommodate best Celtic players | OneFootball

Should Martin tinker with his system to accommodate his best players?  It would certainly be an interesting watch if he did…

Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic, arrives at the stadium before the Scottish Premiership match between St. Mirren and Celtic at St Mirren Park on September 05, 2026 (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

Martin O’Neill has hinted that he could tinker with his system in a bid to accommodate his star players, with most of them soon to be fully fit and available.

5th September 2026; The Marbill Coaches Stadium, Paisley, Scottish Premiership, St Mirren versus Celtic; Shim Mheuka of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

With Yang away on international duty, and Kasper Hogh back in contention, plus Camilo Duran and youngster Shim Mheuka both impressing as central strikers, some are speculating that the Irishman could be tempted to switch to his once favoured 3-5-2 system that served him so well during his memorable first spell at the club.

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Kasper Hogh of Celtic celebrate with the match ball after his hat trick. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

“We’ve got Kasper (Hogh) back the last couple of days and Kieran (Tierney) did a little bit of work with us, so we’ll have a look to see how they are. We’ve got a couple of other fitness issues with players, but will try to go as strongly as we possibly can,” Martin said ahead of Wednesday’s game at St Johnstone, live on Sky Sports yesterday afternoon.

And the Celtic manager tantalisingly added: “Whatever we do, when everybody is absolutely fit, then it’s a matter of trying to get your best players on the field.”

Mheuka, 18, certainly impressed the veteran Irishman, and looks set to stake a claim.

5th September 2026; The Marbill Coaches Stadium, Paisley, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, St Mirren versus Celtic; Shim Mheuka of Celtic shoots past Jacob Chapman of St Mirren and scores in the 93rd minute with the referee checking the VAR screen and ruling the goal out due to offside. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Better options up front

“I expect decent things of Shim,” the Celtic manager said. “I expect him to do well. He’s just getting to know the players. He’s getting to know what’s expected of him in terms of style of play, what we do with the ball and what we do without it.

“It’s essentially what he does with the ball that will determine not only his time here, but his future in the game and he looks a player.”

Martin added, with some satisfaction: “We definitely have got better options up front than we had last season.”

St Johnstone Manager, Simo Valakari at full-time St Johnstone v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, McDiarmid Park, Perth 06 September 2026. Photo Neil Hanna Shutterstock/IMAGO

Martin O’Neill praises Simo Valakari and Craig McLeish

He also spoke highly of his opposite number for this evening, Simo Valakari whose Saints side have won their opening two home matches on their return to the Scottish top flight.

“It’s nice to see really talented young managers doing well,” O’Neill said. “They want to play football and they’re committed. There’s a vitality about them which is very, very encouraging. Not dissimilar in many aspects to what Craig McLeish is doing at St Mirren.”

5th September 2026; The Marbill Coaches Stadium, Paisley, Scottish Premiership Football, St Mirren versus Celtic; St Mirren manager Craig McLeish. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Celtic travel to McDiarmid Park this evening to face Championship winners St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, with the match live on Sky Sports and also on CelticPlayer for subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland. The game kicks off at 8pm (CPT).

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