Martin O'Neill found himself searching for answers after Celtic's narrow triumph over St Johnstone in Perth. The reigning champions extended their unbeaten Scottish Premiership run to six consecutive victories, yet the performance left the manager uncertain about his evolving squad's direction and capabilities.
O'Neill fielded a significantly altered lineup, introducing on-loan Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone for his debut, handing midfielder Oliver Sorensen his first Celtic start, and recalling centre-back Dane Murray alongside winger Sebastian Tounekti and striker Kasper Hogh. Mika Baur's early second-half goal proved decisive, but the manager's much-changed side struggled to impose themselves on proceedings.
I'm not sure what to make of it, really,O'Neill reflected afterwards, while acknowledging to another outlet that
we're still well short of it.
The fixture came amid a demanding schedule that will test Celtic's resources severely. A Premier Sports Cup encounter against Rangers follows on Sunday, before the league meeting a week later, sandwiching the club's first Europa League assignment. According to Sky Sports, Celtic will face Ferencvaros at Celtic Park on Thursday, 17 September 2026 at 8:00pm in their European opener, making the coming fortnight pivotal for O'Neill's plans.
Why was Duran's omission so surprising?
The Colombian forward's absence from the starting eleven raised eyebrows given his electrifying introduction to Scottish football. Few anticipated O'Neill would drop him to the bench, yet the manager's decision to test whether Celtic could function without their standout performer proved instructive. Duran appeared only in the final 10 to 15 minutes, and his limited involvement told a story O'Neill could not ignore.
He's just been class. He looked tired in the game on Saturday, but I'm not surprised for the amount of things he does for us, both with the ball, which is terrific, and also the work that he does off it,O'Neill explained.
He's second only to Daizen Maeda in terms of closing players down. So, I wanted to try and see if we could do without him, and the answer is probably not.The manager's candid admission underscored a concern: Celtic cannot afford to become as reliant on a single attacker as they had been with Maeda before his departure.
How did the attacking play suffer without Yang?
The absence of Yang Hyun-jun, who has impressed since arriving at the club, created a noticeable void on the wing. Tounekti, his replacement, offered a contrasting approach that failed to generate the same cutting edge. Former Scotland international James McFadden, analysing the match, characterised Tounekti's play as overly cautious, noting his tendency to drift infield rather than exploit the width available to him.
He likes to come inside, that's pretty positive until the last part,McFadden observed.
He's got a big problem in his starting position, where he receives the ball, he's always in the eye-line of the defender. He's frustrating to watch because he's quick and sharp with good feet, but he's desperate to come inside and never wants to take the risk of going down the outside.The drop in service quality from the flanks hampered Hogh's effectiveness throughout the contest, with the Danish striker touching the ball just twice in the penalty area before half-time.
O'Neill hinted at his record signing's need to take greater initiative.
You just can't put the ball on a plate for people,he said.
They have to make room for themselves in the penalty box to try and score a goal.Hogh's frustration was evident as he repeatedly peeled away from defenders only to find himself without the ball, a recurring pattern that underlined the attacking coordination issues.
Should Forrest start against Rangers?
James Forrest's cameo performance reignited debate about the 35-year-old's role in the coming fixtures. The veteran winger has scored 12 goals against St Johnstone alone—more than against any other opponent in his lengthy Celtic career—and his brief appearance on Wednesday showcased the quality he retains. Though he did not add to his tally, Forrest delivered several inviting crosses and showed willingness to shoot when opportunities arose.
McFadden made a compelling case for his inclusion in Sunday's Rangers encounter.
I think Forrest starts at the weekend,the pundit declared.
He gives you far more in that position.The debate gains complexity if Duran is deployed through the middle rather than on the wing, offering O'Neill multiple tactical permutations to consider. On the right flank, Haissem Hassan's final ball proved no more effective than Tounekti's, though his decision-making was more positive—he set up Baur's straightforward finish.
Does the squad possess genuine depth?
In theory, Celtic's recruitment should have addressed depth concerns. According to Sky Sports, O'Neill confirmed that Celtic signed six players ahead of the European deadline and ten across the entire transfer window. Yet Wednesday's performance suggested the squad remains a work in progress. The side appeared visibly disjointed following five changes, struggling to find rhythm or cohesion against opponents who also made four alterations.
Sorensen, the midfielder handed his first start, seemed overwhelmed by the occasion, with the match appearing to pass him by. O'Neill admitted pre-match that he
had no ideawhat the player was capable of delivering, and the midfielder's subdued display left questions unanswered. Benjamin Nygren, introduced alongside Duran with over 20 minutes remaining, provided the spark that had been missing, yet both influential performers had begun the match on the bench.
O'Neill acknowledged the challenge ahead.
I know the results have been fine, really fine, but when we get players up to speed, that'll be great,he said.
I think that'll take a few weeks for players. In the meantime, the most important thing is to try and keep your head above water.The manager has hinted at a willingness to adjust his system as more squad members become available, suggesting tactical flexibility may be necessary to accommodate his summer signings.
According to Yahoo Sports, O'Neill has indicated he may modify Celtic's formation to better suit his best players as the squad reaches full fitness. This flexibility could prove essential during the demanding weeks ahead, particularly as European football demands fresh legs and tactical variation.
What lies ahead for Celtic?
The fixture list offers little respite. Celtic's recent league form has been impressive, with victories over St Johnstone, St Mirren, Aberdeen and Falkirk establishing a strong foundation. However, the convergence of domestic cup football, European competition and league matches will test O'Neill's ability to manage his resources effectively.
Celtic's Europa League campaign begins when they host Ferencvaros at Celtic Park. According to the BBC, this fixture is scheduled for Wednesday, 16 September 2026 at 20:00 BST, marking the club's league-phase opener in European competition. Ferencvaros arrive having drawn 2-2 with Ujpesti, won 3-0 at Gyor and triumphed 2-1 at Puskas FC in recent Hungarian league action, indicating a competitive opponent.
The immediate priority remains Sunday's Rangers encounter in the Premier Sports Cup, followed by the league fixture seven days later. O'Neill's task is to integrate his new signings while maintaining Celtic's unbeaten record and preparing for European football. The answers he seeks about his squad's capabilities will emerge only through the crucible of these forthcoming matches.
Key Facts:
- Celtic extended their Scottish Premiership winning streak to six consecutive victories with a narrow victory over St Johnstone
- Manager Martin O'Neill fielded five changes, including debuts for goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and midfielder Oliver Sorensen
- Mika Baur's early second-half goal proved decisive in a performance O'Neill described as laboured and below standard
- Celtic face Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday before their Europa League opener against Ferencvaros on 16 or 17 September 2026
- O'Neill has indicated he may adjust Celtic's tactical system as more summer signings reach full fitness and integration
