Celtic supporters have turned on manager Martin O'Neill following Thursday's Europa League defeat to Real Betis, with calls for his resignation dominating the Hotline.
The Glasgow side fell apart in the east end as Real Betis claimed three points, just hours after Hearts were swept aside by Mo Salah and Trabzonspor. It was another bruising night for Scottish clubs in Europe, and the blame game is now in full swing.
Fans Point Finger at Desmond and Players
Gordon Ashley from Ayr put principal shareholder Dermot Desmond in the firing line, saying: "Due to the negligence of Dermot Desmond we will need to except that for now we are unable to compete with the likes of big teams from Spain or Portugal, or the Austrian champions. But at least we have restored natural order as Scotland's top European club for the last three years, and are dominant over Hearts and Rangers at a domestic level and not being humiliated by European pub teams like them. That will do in the meantime."
Paul McCormack from Coatbridge took aim at the players, claiming: "Record shots on goal for nearly every team we play, the midfield does not have a tackle in it - not one. I reckon thats at least six goals from the edge of the box against already this season, because when it comes to any kind of graft our midfield just does not have that. Every team just waltzes past them unchallenged. Thats our biggest problem and has been for a long time."
O'Neill Told to Stand Down
Gerard Milligan from Renfrewshire put the blame squarely on O'Neill and urged the gaffer to stand down: "Clearly the 7-1 Hearts result was an aberration. I was expecting a full on assault in a game we needed to win but Sam Johnstone saw the ball more often, back and side was the dominant movement. Martin needs to resign, as he will never be sacked."
However, Gerry Campbell felt the boss could save his job if he adds more physicality to the team: "At the moment Celtic are out of their depth in Europe, possibly the Conference League is now our level. Defensively we are weak and the fact that we made no summer signings in that department is totally baffling. The midfield is totally non existent and too easy to work through. The fact that [Benjamin] Nygren does not contribute to any defensive midfield duties doesn't help. More often than not we become a two man midfield. Up front the wingers consistently let us down and this leads to far too much chopping and changing. Hopefully Hogh will come good but a hard to please fanbase won't wait forever. Finally everyone knows we need more physicality in the team. Martin O'Neil has to rectify this issue quickly."
Referee Conspiracy Theories Emerge
Alan Milligan isn't buying one excuse after the Celtic boss had a swipe at the referee, floating his own conspiracy: "I see Martin O'Neil blaming the ref for their latest defeat in Europe. It’s a bit of a coincidence that they never win when they don’t have a Scottish referee."
Scott McAdam from Glasgow agrees that the Conference League is the level for the Hoops at this stage: "Another hard European night for us. I only ever wanted try and compete but I think that ship has sailed. In Scotland that team might get away with it. But just now that team isn't good enough for even the Conference League. If anyone thinks I am wrong well they can't be going to watch the same Celtic team as me."
Mixed Views on Celtic's European Future
Steve McSherry from Uddingston added: "Celtic may be the top dogs in Scotland but we are not good enough for even the Europa league. I just want us out now to concentrate on retaining our league title. Scotland’s two top clubs Celtic and Hearts are simply not good enough."
Kenny Wilson from Moffat attempted to find positives: "Another disappointing night in Europe for Celtic, and again conceding a cheap equaliser with a simple cross into the box. We could’ve went two up with Scales hitting the bar, but in the end weren’t good enough. All but out now and they might as well use fringe players for the rest of the games and concentrate on the league."
Cameron Hall from Edinburgh came out swinging early: "I’m sure there will be some Rangers fans on the Hotline today gloating about Hearts and Celtic both losing in Europe. So I do feel the need to point out that Hearts lost away to a team featuring the actual Mo Salah and Celtic were beaten by a side who finished 6th last year in the actual best league in the world. Rangers, on the other hand, were knocked out in the Conference League qualifiers by a team I’d never even heard of. The coefficient really isn’t missing them."
