Celtic manager Martin O'Neill faces growing scepticism from fans after a sluggish start to the summer transfer window, with supporters branding him a possible 'yes man' to the board following a lacklustre friendly and limited new arrivals.
Frustration over slow transfer business
Only Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has joined on a one-year deal, though Colombian striker Camilo Duran is expected to complete a £6m move from Qarabag in the coming days. After a 1-1 draw with Shelbourne in Dublin, O'Neill spoke about further transfers but failed to reassure supporters.
Paul McCormack from Coatbridge questioned O'Neill's stance: 'Is MON becoming a yes man? His comments about hoping a player in for Portugal and hoping we have some very good players in over the next week or two really don't wash. We don't have a week or two to wait, having already waited weeks. Celtic went out in Champions League qualifiers last season with this neglect from the board. If MON continues to appease them the fans will not be long letting him know, legend or not.'
Supporters voice concerns
Stephen Mulhern from Dublin watched the friendly and was unimpressed by the involvement of Balikwisha, Montgomery, Yamada, and Bernardo. He said: 'Watching them all being involved certainly doesn't fill me with confidence going into the new season. Hopefully Camilo Duran will be the golden nugget we've been looking for in the striking department. And I'm hoping Elijah Just is one of the players O'Neill is referring to bringing more characters into the squad.'
Chris Lowe from Yoker sarcastically asked if Celtic took their 'pet Scottish Officials over with them for a jolly' after receiving a penalty in added time during the friendly.
Fears O'Neill could walk away
Jim McClean from Rothesay warned: 'I have bet Rangers to win the league because Celtic are doing the usual all talk and no action. It will backfire on them this season, no doubt, it would not surprise me if Martin walked away shortly.'
However, Gordon Ashley from Ayr believes the imminent signing of Duran shows Celtic mean business: 'Wonder if George Wilson and the rest will be on this week boasting about all their free transfers and how Celtic are skint after we blew them out of the water with one £6m signing? The mountain of cash is still there and about to leave Hearts and Rangers in our dust.'
Belgium's World Cup heroics
Away from Celtic, fans celebrated Belgium's victory over the USA in the World Cup, which rendered Donald Trump's interference in the Folarin Balogun incident meaningless. Peter Cooperwhite said: 'Well done Belgium for bringing normality back to football, egg on Trump's face and Infantino. I said before a ball was kicked in this cup you could sense controversy coming. Never give USA another World Cup again.'
Paul Price from Glasgow added: 'Well done Belgium in the face of diversity overcoming the barriers put in your way and marching on to the quarter-finals. Surely after Trump's intervention talking FIFA into making one of the worst calls ever in footballing history, their tenure must be untenable? FIFA: Fundamentally Immorally Flawed Allegiances seems more apt for a corrupt organisation!'
Scott Gowers from Edinburgh criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino: 'Belgium earned an absolutely incredible win against the USA who somehow got to play their star player Balogun after a straight red card in the previous round. My question to FIFA now is how do they still manage to help the USA win the World Cup? Infantino's position is now untenable after condemning players for bringing politics into the game. Pot, kettle and black spring to mind.'
