Why Martin O’Neill’s time is up as the Celtic manager | OneFootball

Martin O’Neill’s time is up. This cannot drag out like it did during the Covid season…

Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic, arrives at the stadium before the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and the Rangers at Celtic Park on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

I wrote on Celtic Shorts after the Premier Sports Cup defeat last Sunday saying the next two games would be monumentally important with regard to how our season could potentially pan out…

Win both and we are back on track. Lose both and the club would be in turmoil. I wasn’t overly confident we had it in us to win these games and my fears were realised.

Ryan Naderi of the Rangers celebrates scoring the only goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and the Rangers at Celtic Park on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

What I didn’t expect was such lifeless performances, especially with us being at home.

Both performances were disgraceful. Honestly, if Wilfried Nancy was in charge people would be going absolutely off their nut over this. With Martin O’Neill at the helm, it’s been less anger and more apathy.

Martin O’Neill has become a shield for this board

Martin O’Neill has become a shield for this board. He is such a legend that people are reluctant to overly criticise him. The last three performances have been pathetic. Tactics have been non existent. Players look totally shot of confidence. No one seems to understand the game plan, if there is one.

The Nancy era was a disaster but at least at some moments, very rare moments might I add, we actually saw a glimmer of what good attacking football could look like.

Callum McGregor of Celtic at full time during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Celtic FC and Ferencvarosi TC at Celtic Park on September 17, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Those last three games I saw absolutely nothing. The team looked totally lifeless, bereft of any kind of imagination. No one gelled. Nothing came off. It was just negative short backwards passes or random lumps down the wing that came to nothing. No intricate play. No killer through balls. Over 180 minutes against the Rangers we never looked like scoring.

I hear people say we need to calm down we are still top of the league

I hear people say we need to calm down we are still top of the league. We won’t be for long. We have been in decline since that horror night against LASK and it won’t be long until the so called smaller teams start to believe we are there for the taking.

Luke McCowan of Celtic reacts after the match LASK v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria – 25 Aug 2026Linz Raiffeisen Arena. Photo Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock IMAGO

The Rangers team that has embarrassed us recently aren’t a good side. Their start to the season domestically and their pathetic performances against European minnows proves that. The fact they have easily defeated us twice now should have alarm bells ringing loud and clear. We will end this season trophyless unless things charge drastically.

I don’t think Martin O’Neill and his coaching staff can turn this around

I don’t think Martin O’Neill and his coaching staff can turn this around. Martin was an excellent choice to come in last season when heads had dropped and the players needed a short term boost to see out the season.

It wasn’t about fixing tactics or coming up with a brand new game plan. Not mid-season, not after the Nancy disaster. It was about building up players confidence again. It was about inspiring them into believing they still had it in them for one more push.

Martin O’Neill, Interim Manager of Celtic lifts the Scottish Premiership trophy with players of Celtic following the team’s victory in the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Martin O’Neill was the perfect man for the job. The perfect temporary solution to get those players enjoying football once again. He should never had been considered for the long term position.

Look at Michael Carrick at Manchester United

Look at Michael Carrick at Manchester United. The same happened when they appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. People who know the club inside out and can revive the players in the short term.

Once they are handed the reins long term however is when the cracks appear. It’s when players say thanks for the confidence boost now let’s move on to what the game plan is long term.

This is when things turn sour and the same is happening at Celtic. A manager who has been out of the game for such a long period of time and coaches who in all honesty haven’t operated at a high enough level are being found out.

I genuinely like Martin, Shaun and Fozzy but I think their time is up

Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic acknowledges the fans following the teams victory in the Scottish Cup Final match between Celtic and Dunfermline at Hampden Park on May 23, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

That initial boost is gone and now the players need properly coached and instructed. It’s clear to see this isn’t happening. I genuinely like Martin, Shaun and Fozzy but I think their time is up. We only have to look at the dreaded Covid season to see what happens when you delay pulling the trigger on a manager due to legendary status at the club.

In my next article I will look at what we do next. The current list of candidates to take over from Martin O’Neill is one of the most depressing things I have ever seen!

Do we trust the current custodians to make the right decision?

Our next step is vital. Do we trust the current custodians to make the right decision? History tells us not to get our hopes up.

Conall McGinty

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