Celtic's approach to off-field problems has been compared to the Shaun of the Dead tactic of hiding in the pub and waiting for trouble to pass, but it is not working. The club faces uncertainty over Martin O'Neill's future and the looming presence of Brendan Rodgers, who is set to appear at a fan event next June.
O'Neill's Doubts Over Future
Before the international break, O'Neill admitted he had major doubts about continuing as manager. He said: "I'm desperate for that coffee on the Kings Road again, I really am. I'd like to know what normal life is like again, because this is not normal."
Supporters are left waiting for the inevitable club TV interview in midweek, which is expected to say it is business as usual and that his post-Old Firm interview was a misunderstanding. O'Neill also set alarm bells ringing before the Premier Sports Cup tie at Ibrox when he spoke to daily newspaper journalists.
Rodgers' Shadow Looms
Brendan Rodgers' shadow has lingered over Celtic Park since his departure in October 2025. He has agreed to take part in a support event organised by ACSOM fan media next June, which is the last thing the board wanted to hear.
Rodgers is unlikely to air all the dirty laundry, but there may be enough to cause discomfort at the club. He walked away without a pay off, so he is not bound by a non-disclosure agreement, yet he has kept his counsel. Privately he may have been angry at Dermot Desmond's about-turn, but it hurt him more that his name was left in tatters after returning to the club a second time.
Recruitment Issues Persist
Rodgers' grumbles from his final months have come to pass, and even O'Neill has admitted some recruitment issues flagged up then have not gone away. The club signed players they thought were decent but with no clear idea of how they would operate in any system, and then resorted to late window signings to fill gaps in the squad.
O'Neill has not been helped by the lack of cohesive infrastructure at Parkhead. He needs to plot a path to the end of the campaign at a time when it looks like Celtic have set fire to the road map.
What Happens Next
Celtic cannot have a manager who does not know if he wants to be there, and players cannot be looking at their gaffer wondering whether his heart is in it. If O'Neill has spent the break re-energising and is ready to come back with some of his famous fight, then they might have half a chance. If it is more wishy-washy, then there is not much point, and it will only be delaying the inevitable.
