Martin O’Neill on Joel Mvuka, Kasper Schmeichel and Auston Trusty

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The Celtic Star

·23 February 2026

Martin O’Neill on Joel Mvuka, Kasper Schmeichel and Auston Trusty

Martin O’Neill spoke about Joel Mvuka, Kasper Schmeichel and Auston Trusty post-match following Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hibs yesterday afternoon…

Rain falls in the second half Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, – 22 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO Shutterstock

Felix Passlack opened the scoring midway through the first half, meeting Nicky Cadden’s inviting first-time cross with a terrific header to give the visitors the lead

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Celtic drew level shortly before the interval when Benjamin Nygren grabbed his 18th goal of the campaign, heading in from close range after an excellent delivery from Kieran Tierney.

The contest turned in the final quarter when Auston Trusty was sent off following a VAR review for violent conduct, and moments later Celtic were also denied a clear penalty after Liam Scales was pulled down in the box by Jack Iredale. Remarkably the big screens at Celtic Park reporting on the VAR decision advised the spectators that the incident took place outside the box therefore no penalty. There were NO Hibs players outside the box to commit a foul, perhaps VAR got mixed up the six yard and 18 yard lines?

Hibs capitalised with a man advantage as substitute Kai Andrews struck from the edge of the area in the 88th minute to seal a memorable victory for David Gray’s men.

It marked the Hibees’ first win at Celtic Park in 16 years and left the Hoops six points adrift of leaders Hearts, although the champions still have a game in hand.

The result also handed Martin O’Neill his first domestic loss of the season across both of his spells.

Auston Trusty and Miguel Chaiwa. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 22 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO Shutterstock

Speaking post-match on whether Celtic will appeal Trusty’s red card, O’Neill said at his post match media conference which we reported on last night: “Personally, I wouldn’t have thought so myself.”

“I don’t know. Obviously, the referee has explained to me that that’s what VAR said was violent conduct. I don’t think anybody’s going to change their minds about that.”

Joel Mvuka of Celtic Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup, Fifth Round, Celtic Park, 07 February 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/ Shutterstock

January recruit Joel Mvuka was not included in Celtic’s matchday squad on Sunday. The winger last featured just over two weeks ago, when he completed 45 minutes in the 2-1 Scottish Cup win over Dundee, and he has been missing from every squad since then.

O’Neill outlined: “I think it’s just getting used to the environment. These lads have played decent grades of football before. But it’s the intensity here at this minute. And some players, like James Forrest, have been used to that sort of intensity. So we’ll see.

“We’ll definitely make a few changes for Thursday evening. And we’ll take it from there.”

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic looks dejected during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

The Celtic boss made the brave call of sticking with Kasper Schmeichel following the Dane’s calamity of errors on Thursday night against Stuttgart in the Europa League.

“Kasper has been a really fine goalkeeper,” he said. “He’s been a member of a side that won the Premier League way back. Like everything else, you can’t rest on laurels for the rest of your life. Everybody moves on. But it wasn’t a big, big decision for me.”

“I think I sat here on Thursday evening and said, he’s made some big saves for us. And he made a big save when we were 1-0 down as well.”

“So he came out, and he did fine. But I think that competition for places is something that should apply to everybody. Goalkeepers and outfield players. But I thought he showed some character today.”

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order