There are no two ways about it, it has been an incredibly mixed and hugely frustrating start to the 2026/27 domestic Scottish Premiership campaign for loyal Celtic fans, and returning manager Martin O’Neill.
With the serial winning legend returning twice last season to get the Parkhead board out of the mire that they had created for themselves following Brendan Rodgers (somewhat expected) resignation a few months into the campaign, and the still bizarre appointment of Wilfried Nancy, the 74 year old worked wonders and helped save our form on both occasions. For fans using PayID pokies Australia for their online gaming distractions, they would be hoping they shared in his luck as history would show he had not lost his magic touch from the dug out, adding both the Scottish Cup and the Premiership title to his long list of achievements once again.
With fans knowing he was returning, presumably for a swansong final 12 months as permanent gaffer – and many wondering how this would impact our longer term planning – there were issues with the contract, and that of his coaching staff. The board clearly did not move in the transfer market as he would have hoped, and on top of that he spent a short spell in hospital.
Despite predictable European frustrations, domestically the campaign started well on a results front. Six wins from six in the league had us flying at the top of the table, even if performances themselves had plenty to improve on. But that all went wrong last week, and in the most unwanted and spectacular style with a trio of back to back defeats seeing us dumped out of the League Cup, lost our Europa League opener and our league 100% record.
We all know form can dip, hiccups can happen and no side ever has it all their own way in reality, but this probably bit fans more because it did not really come out of left field and just highlighted many of the concerns the Bhoys faithful had already been airing. Sadly that also included O’Neill’s strengths in the more modern day game, as you cannot simply have a team run through a wall for you each and every week.
Following the recent home defeat O’Neill himself had to address whether or not he was pondering his own stay now, as those questions were front and centre for the press following the full time whistle. With the board announcing that Celtic would ‘come together and support’ Monny during this period, I would imagine that all that was ringing in his ears, and those of fans, were his own words – maybe ‘it might be time to wrap it up.’
With O’Neill also stating that he would use the first international break of the year to fully assess his future, today’s confirmation that the latest financial accounts reveal a drop of nearly £33 million in revenue (mainly the failure to live up to the recent Champions League success and run that we had enjoyed) will not improve the mood.
Whilst that revenue drop will come as no surprise to anyone, or cause any real headache’s financially for us, it again adds to the trend that many fans have been highlighting, the falling optimism levels and the concern over the seeming lack of planning for the future.
We will have to see how the international break plays out, but I doubt O’Neill will be ready to walk away.
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