Celtic are facing a crisis after a defeat to Falkirk left them with just three wins in ten games, allowing Rangers the chance to cut their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to a single point. The loss, inspired by an astonishing goalkeeping display from Scott Bain, has raised serious questions about the future of manager Martin O'Neill.
With home ties against Kilmarnock and Besiktas scheduled before the November break, O'Neill is in desperate need of a response. Large sections of the fans believe it is time for a change in the dugout, and pundits have expressed concern that it could be a long way back for the veteran manager.
Pundits weigh in on Celtic's problems
Chris Sutton, speaking on Sky Sports, said: "The midfield is really vulnerable, but it's not just in the midfield. The goalkeeping situation is a mess. Sam Johnstone doesn't really excite and inspire me, and I think he's going to be safe. You've got Liam Scales dribbling out from the back thinking he's Baresi - he's not. They lack in midfield athletically and physically."
Sutton added: "Martin needs to be forthright in how he wants to play and stick to one thing. It's a lottery waiting for the Celtic team, who knows what team Martin is going to pick? He is not going to say it, of course, but the club is in regression, the team is in regression. They're just not a good functioning team at this moment in time. It's hard to see how Celtic are actually set up and it is a bit off the cuff. They're deficient in every area of the team. This current team are miles off it. Where is the plan, what's the strategy?"
Falkirk praised for defensive display
Pat Bonner, on the BBC, said: "It was a terrific display from Falkirk defensively. They had much more penetration than Celtic, who just go from side to side. Scott Bain was unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. I counted eight saves he made. Falkirk deserve it. They've got a terrific young team. John McGlynn has done a great job with them. But there are big question marks over whether or not these players are good enough for Celtic."
Ian McCall, also on the BBC, commented: "Carter-Vickers, Tierney, McGregor, Forrest - all of them for different reasons aren't quite what they were. That happens in football, it's cruel. Whether it's injury or overuse in Callum McGregor's case, I would suggest. Their bodies maybe aren't capable of the levels they once were. It's not a vintage Celtic."
Questions over the club's direction
Kris Boyd, on Sky Sports, said: "Overall if you look a Celtic right now, where are they going? If you're operating as a top football club, you should already have a list of who your next managers are, Celtic haven't a clue what they're doing... the hierarchy will say, 'we're still successful, we're still winning', but eventually it catches up with you if you don't have a plan in place."
Boyd added: "Celtic have got a team that if they're all functioning - as we saw against Hearts - they can still cause problems for every team in the league. But they're not functioning properly. There are other managers under severe pressure. There has to be serious questions asked about Martin [O'Neill] now. Last season is over now... and right now, for Celtic to have lost six in the last ten in all competitions still isn't good enough. They're miles off it."
James McFadden, on Sky Sports, said: "There's been performances where Celtic have been off it in their intensity. There's no way he's asking them to keep the ball, he wants it to go forward. It's why there's speed and energy in the wide areas."
McFadden continued: "The problem for me is O'Neill was brought in to fix a massive problem. He did that. Then he gets the job again, he's done what he's been asked, and it would have been a good time to go. When you get to May next year, you're in the same position, where there's no plan to replace O'Neill. What is the plan? What is actually happening at Celtic to make sure this doesn't happen again? If you're not moving forwards, you're going backwards. And if you're standing still, that regression will happen at pace."
