Manager Martin O'Neill has expressed "full agreement" with captain Callum McGregor's diagnosis of Celtic's recent struggles, though he remains confident the club will resolve their problems in the coming weeks.
McGregor articulated his concerns following Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Dundee United, telling reporters that certain passages of play felt "a bit basketball" as the team struggled to maintain their customary possession-based dominance. According to BBC Sport, the captain also suggested that deploying strikers Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran in wide positions may be contributing to the lack of structure, a period that has yielded only three victories in nine matches.
When O'Neill addressed the media ahead of Sunday's fixture against Falkirk, he initially claimed unfamiliarity with McGregor's specific remarks. However, once the context was explained, the manager revealed his alignment with his captain's assessment.
I totally agree that Callum Osmand is actually really a centre forward, I've said this at the press conference, that he is essentially a centre forward. He probably would play off somebody strong alongside him, I'm not so sure that he could lead the line on his own. And that Camilo Duran is really a centre forward, so the players are getting to know each other, it's as really simple as that there, so I'm in total agreement with Callum.
Why are Celtic struggling for control?
The deployment of centre forwards in unconventional positions reflects the squad's ongoing integration process. McGregor's observations echo earlier criticism from defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, who characterised the team's approach as "too random" following their Glasgow derby defeat to Rangers. This pattern of commentary suggests a broader concern about the team's tactical coherence rather than isolated incidents.
The issues have manifested across multiple competitions. Celtic's third consecutive Europa League defeat to Celta Vigo left them 35th of 36 teams in the competition, compounding frustration among supporters. The defending champions have experienced three consecutive losses in European football, contributing to fan discontent and a boycott of some matches by the Green Brigade supporters' group.
How are Celtic positioned in the league?
Despite their inconsistency, Celtic maintain a commanding position in the Scottish Premiership. The club holds a four-point advantage at the summit and would extend that lead to seven points with victory over Falkirk on Sunday, when Rangers will be occupied with League Cup commitments. In the league itself, Celtic have suffered only one defeat—the home loss to Rangers—though their overall record across all competitions tells a more complicated story.
Falkirk arrive in strong form, having won three consecutive league matches, including a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen on 28 October. The visitors currently occupy sixth place in the Premiership with 15 points from 11 matches, presenting a test for a Celtic side seeking to reassert their dominance.
What is O'Neill's outlook on the situation?
O'Neill has resisted suggestions of deeper structural problems, instead framing the current challenges as a natural consequence of squad assembly and integration. He emphasised that numerous players either missed pre-season preparation or arrived late in the transfer window, requiring time to develop understanding and cohesion.
I come in here [to the press conference] every single week and I'm most of the time pretty buoyed by things. Don't try and throw a lot of divides in at the end of the day, we're doing fine. A lot of lads here didn't even do pre-season with us. A number of players came in quite late on, so it will take time for us. So we need to hang in there, and at this minute I think we're hanging in.
The manager's confidence appears underpinned by Celtic's league position and the belief that familiarity will breed improved performances as the winter progresses. O'Neill has previously received backing from the club's hierarchy; in late September, chief executive Michael Nicholson pledged the organisation's support following a difficult spell that included the Rangers defeat.
What lies ahead for Celtic?
Celtic face Falkirk away on Sunday, 1 November, at 13:00, offering an immediate opportunity to extend their league lead. The fixture precedes a return to European competition, with a home Europa League match against Beşiktaş scheduled for Thursday, 5 November, at 20:00. These consecutive fixtures will test whether the squad's integration has progressed sufficiently to address the control issues McGregor and O'Neill have acknowledged.
Key Facts:
- Celtic hold a four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with one league defeat all season
- The team have lost three consecutive Europa League matches and sit 35th of 36 teams in the competition
- Manager O'Neill attributes current struggles to late arrivals and missing pre-season rather than fundamental tactical problems
- Captain McGregor and defender Carter-Vickers have both publicly criticised the team's lack of control and structure in recent weeks
- Celtic face Falkirk away on 1 November before hosting Beşiktaş in the Europa League on 5 November
