After three consecutive defeats it’s been the kind of week that Celtic fans are not used to. The kind that has resulted in the manager saying he will consider his position during the upcoming international break. That kind of week. It now seems like the majority of Celtic fans would like to see a change in the dug out before the players return from representing their country.
Yet it’s hard to see where how Celtic magically improve if O’Neill was to call it a day and move on from the club. You wouldn’t exactly have much confidence in the club finding a suitable replacement if he was to leave. Nancy being case in point. There is an argument to be made that our best chance of getting things back on track is the manager staying and making a change to the coaching staff instead.
We know Martin O’Neill’s qualities and weaknesses. We know he’s capable of turning around poor situations. Look at the incredible comeback against Hearts last season. However, this feels considerably different. The team look poorly coached and unaware of what is expected of them from the management team. Players like McGregor and CCV have hinted that this might be the case during some rather concerning interviews. That cannot be allowed to go on if we want to turn the season around.
Something has to give
If Martin O’Neill stays then the coaching staff need to be replaced in my opinion. Or at the very least added to in a considerable way. What they are doing right now just isn’t working. O’Neill needs to take control and ensure his coaches coach the players exactly how he wants. No more between systems and styles. The manager can no longer manage from a distance. He must make sure the players are being given the right messages needed for them to perform come game day. Right now, I don’t think anyone would say this looks like the case at Celtic Football Club. This is a time for real leadership. Either the management changes or the structure does. Something has to give if we are to turn around the way this season is undoubtedly headed.
We know Martin O’Neill has the credentials to see things through to the summer. We don’t know that about the current coaching structure. Currently the players look devoid of confidence and ideas. It’s hard to see what exactly they are working on during the week. That’s not a place any of us wanted the team to be when the season kicked off.
Are the summer signings that poor?
Champions League level players are coming into the club looking poor and current players we’ve relied upon for years don’t look much better. To play devils advocate, the elephant in the room is that our best league performance was the one game where the manager wasn’t present. The game where we got the best out of our £11 million pound striker. Would Celtic perform better moving forward with Maloney in charge till the end of the season instead of Martin? I don’t know many fans who would be willing to take that risk.
What we do know is that Martin O’Neill is a club legend. If he decides to call it a day then he goes with our best wishes. If he stays until the end of the season then something drastic has to change. Based on what we have seen so far this season I would suggest that it’s the level of coaching. It doesn’t look like much will change before our next game away to Motherwell. In all likelihood, it’s the manager who will leave if anyone does. If they do stay let’s hope they come back after the international break ready to turn things around.
All views expressed on Celtic DNA are personal opinions and are for commentary and discussion purposes only