Yesterday we discussed that title credentials “are established on plastic pitches and cold nights in places like Falkirk”. Celtic were far from polished but had enough in the tank to win a game in which they withstood a first half onslaught. The credentials are intact.
Martin O’Neill is not a miracle worker, but he knows how to set teams up in order to get results. Confidence, so lacking in the squad in recent weeks, is back in sufficient quantities to see them through challenging pressure.
Across his two tenures this season, Martin has taken charge of seven league games, in which Celtic have conceded only one goal – a penalty kick, awarded by VAR after an incident which passed without on-field concern. That might sound like working miracles, but it is just good old organisation.
When Kyrell Wilson skinned Kieran Tierney and rounded Kasper Schmeichel, he was rushed into the shot by Liam Scales, who arrived to prevent Falkirk taking the lead. Later, when Auston Trusty and Callum McGregor failed to control the ball, green and white shirts arrived on the scene mob-handed, forcing a rushed shot from Williams which Kasper saved. Both were goals prevented by plan.
There is an alternative history for Celtic this season which is even worse than it has been. Can you imagine where we would be had Benjamin Nygren not arrived in the summer? His goals and progressive play are the reason we are still in the title race. Yesterday’s effort was a perfect example of his ability to get into the right place.
He is the best finisher and the most-aware penalty box player we have available right now. A rose by another name is still a rose.
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Celtic40me
The reason our press vanished last night was because we played Nygren and Hatate.
Nygren doesn’t have the speed, the engine or desire to press.
A press is only as good as its weakest link.
*Nygren not Hatate
I remember Wilfried Nancy and the Easy Beats back in the days of the ole Burn’ssssss Howffffff – what a waste of time and money that was.
Standing section seats being unlocked …..not a good sign …more bad decisions!!!
Paul67
“ Benny you’re a striker now – Benny you’re a striker now repeat after me Benny you’re a striker now “
I discount any games on those plastic carpets, next Sunday is by far the worst though.
Incidentally CP and Falkirk pitches are both reported as identical sizes, according to AI, if that source is reliable 🙄
quadrophenian on 15th January 2026 8:14 am
As a kid growing up in Glasgow, I thought that there were lots in common between Catholics and Jewish folk.
*excellent piece, I don’t hate anyone, dislike but only if they have done something to upset my ain folk and that includes the Celtic, such as the wee trackie seller for instance.
Mrs TT has an autoimmune illness and yet if you saw her she looks ok, still suffers as its based on rheumatic arthritis, so the damp climate at hame was brutal as is the humidity over here, she attends, periodically now, a specialist in one of the Toronto Hospitals who told her he couldnae cure her but will try and return her to as much a decent quality of life as possible, we also had a dentist who was really good to her, and others I have been led to believe, he has since retired which is why I said we had, both are Jewish, the latter escaped from the 1956 Hungarian uprising so we had some lovely chats about the Magyars.
Both of them have proven what Willie Dixon and sung by Bo Diddley’s legendary song said “you can’t judge a book by its cover”
This Board has not an ounce of credibility,even less shame.Not content to go cap in hand to MON,not once but twice,to extricate them from the self made pit they made for themselves,they have now left the 74 year old the job of recruiting players,in any spare time he has,manfully trying to maintain a title challenge with limited resources,whilst trying to tackle the Transfer Window.From a standing start.
Any buys that MIGHT be sanctioned,if not successful,wil be MONs responsibility
AN DÚN on 15TH JANUARY 2026 2:17 PM
Celtic40me
The reason our press vanished last night was because we played Nygren and Hatate.
A reasoned, direct reply, thanks.
I thought we pressed better in the second half, particularly when Hatate came on. I think he’s more effective than any of our other midfielders against a press, he’s comfortable receiving the ball from the defence and presses the center backs better than Nygren or Engels.
I agree, to a point about Nygren. I don’t know what he’s thinking so I wouldn’t like to say he’s unwilling, but his lack of dynamism means he’s not the best at it. I don’t think him and Engels can play together in a 3. I’m not sure Arne offers enough at all in those games to warrant a place ahead of Nygren who’s goals we’ll need even with a new striker
I think our main issue with the press is the front 3. Your man Tounekti needs to learn that being an old-fashioned Celtic winger isnt enough any more, he’s been a defensive liability too many times recently.
DeniaBhoy on 15th January 2026 9:28 am
Martin said the performance was not good enough and we were lucky to win. Beyond that, why torture ourselves? We got our three points against a team with good form and on a plastic pitch which is always a bit of a leveller.
*that pretty much the size of it, even Paul alluded to that in his opening piece yesterday, how often have we left a hostile ground on a dreich and dark night or even afternoon when a Buzz Bomb, Stevie or Dixie goal gave us the points, singing away and just happy to have won another game, and walking in the door for my da tae say “1 goal can be as good as 6 son”
Looking back my da was a very wise man as far as the Celtic were concerned, after all he had witnessed that great Celtic team of the late 30s who won the League, Cup as well as the Exhibition Cup and would recite that side like a litany, the only other side can recall him doing the same for was the 7-1 team, wtf every night for at least a week when he would come home from work he would be singing “oh hampden in the sun” or puting on the agony puting on the style” or cracking jokes about that side.
After all he had witnessed our demise which nearly cost us relegation only for the much maligned James Edward to rebuild the side again, and then witness Sir Bob selling of the likes of the Juggler and Wee Barra allegedly to install floodlights, albeit the finest in Europe at the time, we also lost the likes of Charles Patrick through injury while again Sir Bob embarking on a mimicking of the Busby Babes with the Kelly Kids, and yet it was that policy that brought us the Big Cup and the honest NIAR.
Why have no journalists managed to get Nicholson to answer questions about this utter shambles?
Is it because they’re loving it and don’t want any change at Celtic? Or, do they fear the introduction of a real football department at Celtic?
If they were more than hun stenographers they would be hounding him.
vale bhoy on 15th January 2026 2:47 pm
Why have no journalists managed to get Nicholson to answer questions about this utter shambles? Is it because they’re loving it and don’t want any change at Celtic? Or, do they fear the introduction of a real football department at Celtic? If they were more than hun stenographers they would be hounding him.
*you’ve just answered your own question
The 2021 playbook has been taken from the shelf and is being utilised in a near identical fashion as it was 5 years ago. If it worked then, chances are, with a few minor adjustments, it will work again, looking forward to two or three Shane Duffy’s rocking up during the transfer window and selling the jerseys with square balls across the 18 yard line for the opposition to run onto.
The incompetence at board level is not a bug, it is the feature.
Tontine Tim,H,mmmm.What about”Cheating the Papes,and Loving It”By ,Sir David Murray.
Think you could judge that one,by its cover.
I’ve been saying same as P67,play Nygren as a striker, with teams playing so deep against us,you don’t need to be the quickest, he’s the best finisher we have
AN DÚN on 15TH JANUARY 2026 2:18 PM
*Nygren not Hatate
Just saw this.
Arne has ability but we’re not seeing it in this Celtic team in that sort of game. He’s not good at taking it under pressure, hes not quick, he’s not particularly strong in the tackle. If we can beat the press and he can find a bit of space abd get his head up hes an effective player.
It’s one or the other which means Nygren ahead of Arne right now for me because of the important goals he brings to the team. If Arne can start doing the same then perhaps he should get his place.
No way should Nygren start ahead of Engels. Our best period this season came under MoN playing his settled midfield 3 of Engels, Hatate and CalMac. Nygren is too cumbersome to play in our midfield 3.
MoN picked up last Saturday where he left off and started Engels, Hatate and CalMac and I’d argue that was one of best performances this season. He needs to stick with what works.
Whilst of course getting an actual striker in the door.
When I was a Wean,I remember going with my Parents to the Barras to buy a new carpet.Up against the side wall of Baird’s Bar,an array of said items would be rolled up.
” A 5 × 4 Axminster we want”On returning home my Father would unroll the Carpet,to find it was a 4×3 Carpet,and would go nuts,shouting”Wrang size,and Axminster,my Arse,its like plastic”.
Maybe same thing has happened to lots of Celtic players,hence their dislike of plastic.
Or,maybe no.
BR paid the price for trying endlessly to show horn Nygren into his team. It won’t work.
He’s best utilised from the subs bench where can consistently make meaningful contributions up against tiring opponents.
Nygren is a poor footballer. Doesn’t defend or create or link up well. He does have a knack of popping up in the right place in the box. Very reminiscent of the Pat McGinley days when a midfielder was our top scorer.
We could very well lose this league simply because we are unable to find a competent striker over 3 windows.
It’s a toxic combination- Nygren and CalMac. You’re asking far too much from your third mid in terms of yards when you play these two in the midfield.
Engels and Hatate have the athleticism to compliment CalMac.
So P67 is now selling Nygren as our striker, I reckon he’s had a phone call.
notthebus on 15th January 2026 12:10 pm
Slim pickings, indeed. Too many average players are locked into starting roles with no real competition from the bench. As much as I want to believe we can win the league, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this team, shouldn’t be the best in the country.
*the summer after “ten men won the league” 2 ould die hard Celtic men fae Dumbarton come over here for a visit, I took a family member down tae see them as he was a lifelong pal of theirs, we were still jubilant at the magical Monday night when we clinched the title, they on the other hand were adamant that this was the worse Celtic team to ever win the League, it takes all sorts.
AN DÚN on 15TH JANUARY 2026 3:06 PM
No way should Nygren start ahead of Engels.
Sure, no way. A hot take so soon after last night
BBC Sport headline article on the changing role of a manager.
Here’s what they’re referencing:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/manager-v-head-coach-gareth-southgate-pncne/
If Callum McGregor were to get injured who’d you chose to replicate his lynchpin role?
Bernardo
Many posters keep telling us we have the best players in the league.
So why would we not win the league with a shrewd, savvy and experienced manager.?
HH.
15th January – no signings.
World class in absolutely nothing we do….
Tounekti has good feet and can beat a man, albeit he then looks to often beat the same man. However, he is very easily nudged off the ball, as their fullback did often last night. Big area of improvement, along with his final ball and shooting.
ziggydoc1 on 15th January 2026 3:52 pm
I agree. He was very good against Dundee Utd, but poor last night.
Weeron.
Greenpinata
Yes, expectations and no excuses have been recalibrated somewhat since October…
I think Spain won a Euros without playing a striker but then again, they’d Iniesta and Xavi.
Every other team will struggle without a quality front man. As we have done and will continue to unless we recruit and pay the going rate for a goal scorer.
We took £17/18 million into the club selling two twenty goal a season strikers and replaced them on the cheap with Kenny and Yamada.
We need to learn. We need to prioritise football needs over the balance sheet. We’re running out of time.
He’s got electric boots, a Celtic suit
You know I read it on CQN , oh
B-B-B-Bennie hits the nets
Bognorbhoy
:-))) 👏👏👏
Let’s hope it’s not…
———–
He’s got electric boots, a Celtic suit
You know I read it on CQN , oh
B-B-B-Bennie , he’s all your gonna get
Hot Smoked and others concerned. Just been to see Big Jimmy and he is fine, has had problems with his phone. His jokes are worse than ever and I had to go to Shipbank to calm mesel.
We are in great shape. We are lucky to have such great, modern and dynamic leadership at the club. If Michael and Dermot decide Martin has the tools to win the league already in the building that’s good enough for me. I have full faith that they always act in the best interests of Celtic, are unhindered by ego or incompetence and are not in the least driven by suspect values and motives.
Meantime I share this from Paul Larkin today:
As we stumble towards the halfway point in the transfer window, we seem to have the accuracy of an Arne Engels pass.
Anyone of a Celtic persuasion watching that game last night probably ended up with as much hair as me.
Forget systems or tactics, that was professional footballers incapable of passing a ball from A to B.
The only excuse I can make for them is the squad is so depleted, it’s difficult to rotate and rest. That being said, no amount of rest would make a few of them good enough for Celtic.
Which makes the lack of transfer activity all the more baffling if not surprising. I asked a couple of agents what the problem was when dealing with Celtic.
They both said the same two things.
They are too slow and always have to defer to Dermor Desmond for everything.
I saw someone else get credit for it but it was this Substack that revealed that when Celtic were doing the Luke McCowan deal, Michael Nicholson had to keep leaving the room to phone someone.
Well, here’s another one.
When Celtic were dealing with Anderlecht to sign Kasper Dolberg, they had every aspect of the deal done.
They thought.
When Anderlecht wanted to clarify one last thing, they couldn’t get hold of anyone at Celtic. In the two hours it took for Celtic to call back, Ajax swooped in and signed him.
Dolberg has scored three goals in nine games for Ajax and that would lead to board apologists saying their usual “we dodged a bullet” catchphrase.
Completely missing the point.
I also know Martin O’Neill named two players currently at a Scottish club who he said last week he would like to bring to Celtic.
Yet so far there hasn’t even been a bid put in.
Oh wait, I forgot they are “working very hard behind the scenes”
Funnily enough, Brendan Rodgers thought that too.
but what 2 players is it ?