Celtic fans have taken aim at Dermot Desmond and the board after a week of three straight defeats left them frustrated despite sitting top of the Premiership table. The losses came either side of a Europa League humiliation at home, with an extended international break now looming.
Martin O'Neill admits he is taking time to consider his future, but punters are looking higher than the veteran boss.
Fans slam board's 'biscuit tin' attitude
David Beattie, Rothesay, emailed: "You can't help but feel nothing but great apathy with Dermot Desmond and his board once again shirking their responsibilities to a whole new level. Not content with hanging Martin O'Neill out to dry with only addressing the forward positions in what turned out to be only half a rebuild to the present team, they then wonder how the team is failing!!!"
He added: "Then once again they shirk their responsibilities by trying to once again lay the blame at Brendan Rodgers' door, who let's be honest, merely told them the truth, then about how short we were and got filleted for it. Lo and behold, Martin O'Neill is now having to front up to their latest shortcomings. Time to go Desmond as you conduct the orchestra."
John Scott, Grassmoor, raised financial concerns despite the club's healthy bank balance. He said: "Having read Mark Pirie's piece on Celtic's finances I was astonished at the numbers quoted. The losses actually justifies the boards so called 'biscuit tin' attitude to spending."
He added: "As a Hibs fan I have to be honest and admit the only way Rangers and Celtic can maintain their stature is to leave the Scottish League. The likely failure of either to reach Champions League group phase games can only leave them struggling financially to maintain such relatively high levels of salaries and signing fees."
Support for O'Neill and striker debate
However, Paul Price, Glasgow, remains defiant. He emailed: "Couple of issues I want to address. Firstly, Kasper Hogh is a class striker, who will come good at Celtic when we have players capable of supplying the big guy decent service inside the opposition's box...rather than our own 18 yard line! And secondly the only person to decide on, should he stay or should he go is the man himself Martin O'Neill... no one else!"
Iain Morrison, Livingston, had a message for Price: "Maybe Paul Price, who’s going on about Fernandez not being sent off, should look at the match the previous Sunday, where Donovan was booked inside 10 mins, and was very, very fortunate to still be on at the end. Instead of blaming everyone except your own, face up to the facts. Your club not as good as you think when challenged."
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, welcomed the break: "Great to get away from the Scottish Premiership for a few weeks. It will allow all those Celtic regulars to once again mix in with the community without embarrassment."
Hibs new boss and Scotland debut
There is a new boss in the Hibs hotseat after 34-year-old Marink Reedijk was chosen as David Gray's successor. Davy Cook, Edinburgh, offered advice: "Hibs' new manager doesn’t realise it never shines on Leith at this time of year, nor any time of year but he has got high hopes."
Finally, Sebastien Pocognoli takes charge of Scotland for the first time in the Nations League against Slovenia. Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, is anticipating the Belgian's dugout debut: "I’m looking forward to Scotland hopefully getting off to a winning start in Slovenia and Pocognoli sending out an attacking-minded side instead of Mr Negative Steve Clarke's sides of the past."
He added: "The general consensus is Oli McBurnie will be our striker up front I strongly disagree on past performances he was more like Oliver Hardy and it’s time for Kieran Bowie to be given an opportunity instead."
