Today’s game against Rangers at Celtic Park feels like a huge moment in the season for the football club. Regardless of what happens, Celtic will go into the upcoming international break top of the league. Despite that fact, all is not well at Celtic Football Club. The mood just doesn’t seem right after two damaging defeats against Rangers last weekend and to LASK in Champions League qualifier. You wonder what exactly will happen if Rangers manage to follow it up with another resounding win at Celtic Park with no away fans present. Would that outcome force change at the club?
A worrying performance at Ibrox
Celtic were destroyed last weekend by Rangers at Ibrox. No heart, fight and desire was just as worrying as the score line for the fans. Celtic came off second best and were out fought and out thought in the dugout. That was followed by another damaging defeat at home to Ferencváros meaning things are no longer going in the right direction. Players seem to be lacking confidence and direction, we’ve all seen this movie before and where it usually leads. However a dose of realism is needed at this point. Celtic remain unbeaten after winning all their domestic games so far, finding themselves five points clear of their Glasgow rivals. Even if Celtic do lose the game on Sunday, the club still sit at the top of the league heading into a three week international break. The manner of the performance would be almost as important to the fans as the result. So far, the team has looked miles off it in all three major games they’ve played this season. Ultimately that rests with the manager.
Speaking of the manager, have his comments this week given a hint to his future after this game?
“If you lose matches, you will get criticised – and we’ve lost the two big games in the week so I accept that.
“But I definitely won’t be here forever either. In many ways, I shouldn’t really be here. Celtic will be looking, soon enough, for someone to replace me.”
After his recent illness, the 74 year old would be forgiven for deciding to put his health and his family first by stepping aside and a three week international break would allow the club time to make alternative plans for the management of the football club. If Celtic lose heavily again to a Rangers side with no fans inside Celtic Park then the writing may be on the wall. We’ve been in this position before with the likes of Lennon, Rodgers and Nancy where things have had somewhat of an inevitability about it. Will things go the same way for O’Neill win, lose or draw? Theres no doubt in my mind that if the manager decided that things are going in the wrong direction then he would self analyse and make the decision for the good of the football club.
That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised to see Martin O’Neill walk away win lose or draw after the Rangers game. Many fans think he should have done so after the fairytale ending last season but leaving Celtic a potential 8 points clear going into the break might be as good a time as ever. If he does intend to fight through this bad spell and turn performances around then he needs both a positive result and performance against Rangers on Sunday. We need to get back to basics and find a performance that shows desire and outfights the opposition all over the pitch. Who will step up for the manager and the fans by delivering the leadership needed in this huge game?
O’Neill’s Celtic Legacy
Fans will ultimately be hoping the club turn the corner under Martin’s leadership starting with a result on Sunday against Rangers. Whether that happens or not, Martin O’Neills Celtic legacy has only been enhanced by the miracles he produced in securing the league title last season. No matter what happens, the man’s name will be up there with the best of them in the halls of Celtic Park. Momentum seems to be with an average Rangers side at the minute. Regardless of whether they rectify the wrongs of last weekend or not, O’Neill will forever be a Celtic hero. Let’s start with the Rangers game then take things from there.
All views expressed on Celtic DNA are personal opinions and are for commentary and discussion purposes only