Michael Stewart’s blunt but accurate evaluation of Celtic’s problems

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The Celtic Star

·8 October 2025

Michael Stewart’s blunt but accurate evaluation of Celtic’s problems

Michael Stewart delivered a blunt evaluation of Celtic’s underperforming start to the season, attributing the Hoops’ on-field difficulties to the club’s inability to strengthen the squad effectively during the summer transfer window…

Celtic line-up prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

He believes that although the abysmal summer window has undoubtedly played a significant part, several of Celtic’s experienced players have also fallen short of expectations.

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During an appearance on the Premier Sports Scottish Football Social Club show, Stewart suggested that Celtic’s problems extend beyond individual displays, pointing to a dip in confidence and unity that began when key departures weren’t properly addressed.

Stewart said: “It’s a multitude of reasons and it all goes back to the summer window. When you’re in a changing room and you know you need strengthened, and you’ve got your bigger players moving on and not replaced, that creates negativity.”

“Then you have the civil war — the manager and the statements going back and forward — these things have clearly had an impact on the atmosphere and synergy. It’s not there off the park and it’s impacted on the park.”

The former Hibs and Hearts midfielder added: “Look at the team as a whole. Schmeichel is looking a year older, Alistair Johnston is out injured. Cameron Carter-Vickers has been okay. Liam Scales, you’re still thinking they need to strengthen there. Kieran Tierney is still working his way back in. Callum McGregor is needing some help in the middle of the park. Hatate looks like the edge is out of his game.”

Kasper Schmeichel arrives at Celtic Park ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Nygren is a good signing, but he’s not intense — he has the quality. And then you come to the front line — the front line has been the major issue.”

“The players that were already there were looking like they needed a fresh injection of new blood to get them going again — and it’s not happened,” Stewart continued.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

“The front line has been decimated, and Iheanacho looks like he’ll be a good signing but he’s still not fully fit and he’s really their only option.”

Stewart’s comments reflect most Celtic fans’ thoughts around the current situation on the pitch. A squad that has major problems from goalkeeper to forward line that was not addressed adequately in the summer.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor looks frustrated at full-time. Final score Celtic 0 Hibernian 0. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock

Can the manager do better with the players at his disposal? Most definitely. However, he was not helped at all in the transfer market. Five of the 11 signings don’t make matchday squads, and the team is shockingly considerably weaker than what Celtic finished with at Hampden against Aberdeen last season.

Ultimately, the board not only undermined the manager but deliberately weakened the team as a result. They should be continually held to account, and going by the meeting on Monday night with supporters groups, they are not taking any responsibility for it.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

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