Martin O’Neill raised spirits but same problems persist for ‘Brother Walfried’

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The Celtic Star

·16 novembre 2025

Martin O’Neill raised spirits but same problems persist for ‘Brother Walfried’

Chris Sutton outlined the task facing the incoming Celtic manager, and that increasing looks like Le Harve man Wilfried Nancy, while praising the job done in steadying the ship by his old boss Martin O’Neill…

Wilfried Nancy head coach of the Columbus Crew looks on before the 2025 MLS Cup Playoff match against FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field on November 02, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

Writing in his weekly newspaper column the former Celtic striker noted that the current situation at Celtic will need a talented manager regardless of who Dermot Desmond opts for and we should know more about that in the course of this week with the new manager hopefully in situ for Saturday night’s trip to face St Mirren in Paisley.

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Martin O’Neill. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Sutton had every reason to praise the work done by Martin O’Neill over these past four matches which has seen Celtic knock theRangers out of the Premier Sports Cup and win two Scottish Premiership matches, collecting six points while in their two games since beating Celtic at Tynecastle in what turned out to be Brendan Rodgers’s last game in charge, Hearts have picked up just two points from six.

European reality check in Denmark

Celtic’s European reality check in Denmark against Midtjylland will also allow O’Neill the chance to provide some candid feedback to the incoming manager on where he believes the squad is at and presumably he will brief Dermot Desmond on this too.

Martin O’Neill. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

“My old boss Martin O’Neill has helped get things back on track but he will have recognised the magnitude of the task after the game against Midtjylland. The limitations of the group were brutally exposed by a decent European team,” Sutton noted in his Daily Record column.

Auston Trusty and Anthony Ralston of Celtic look dejected after conceding 3rd goal Midtjylland vs Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 06 November 2025. Photo Michael Zemanek Shutterstock

On Midtjylland he said: “Let’s be honest, they are a solid side who are doing very well in the Europa League. There’s a lot to like about them, but we’re not talking about Real Madrid here.”

Martin O’Neill has raised the spirits

Domestic progress was made under Martin O’Neill in his three matches that could prove pivotal in the overall story of Celtic’s topsy-turvy season.

“Martin has done well to bring a bit of stability and raise the spirits,” Sutton said. “The performances against Falkirk and Kilmarnock were encouraging because there have been games Celtic have made heavy weather of at times this season.

Callum Osmand scores. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“The (Premier Sports) League Cup victory against (the)Rangers was huge. The first half performance was good, the second, not so much, but they got the job done and it lifted the mood around the entire club.”

However the underlying issues with the Celtic squad remain and will need to be addressed starting in the January transfer window, pointing out the significance of long term injuries with the squad to key players.

The same problems persists

Sutton explained: “I’m not taking anything away from the nature of the victories but it would be silly to go over the top.

“The same problems persists – and if anything there are more problems to come with the games coming thick and fast. That’s why a permanent solution has to be found now rather than remaining in a holding pattern. You can’t make excuses when you are at a big club like Celtic, but the injuries are a major problem.

Alistair Johnston of Celtic is stretchered off after sustaining an injury during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Alistair Johnston has been a huge miss and he’s going to be out long term. Cameron Carter-Vickers even more so. I know some people were questioning his performances earlier in the campaign but he’s been a massive part in the club’s success in recent years.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic on the ground with suspected injury at full-time. Final score Celtic 2 Sturm Graz 1. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

He’s been a total rock at the back and his influence will be missed. Chuck in Jota, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi, plus youngster Callum Osmand and there’s plenty to deal with – and that’s before we even get to the problems that are lingering from the summer,” the former Celtic goalscorer said.

Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic leaves the field injured during the Premier League match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“It’s a lot to take on – for any manager,” Sutton concluded. “January is going to be absolutely vital.”

‘Brother Walfried’

Squeezed in among all the content from the briefing done at the end of last week about Wilfried Nancy being ‘the chosen one’ from Dermot’s shortlist, there was a mention that the Frenchman will be happy to work within the club’s existing recruitment polices. That perhaps is why the candidate that some supporters are already calling ‘Brother Walfried’ ended up as being regarded as the right man for the Celtic job.

He’ll not be let down by the Celtic support. Hopefully it will be the same when it comes to the Boardroom.

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