John Hartson reacted strongly to Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup final defeat to St Mirren, turning to social media to give a blunt assessment of both the performance and the wider state of the club.

The former striker, known for speaking his mind, drew on his time under Martin O’Neill as he questioned the timing of key decisions and the direction Celtic now seem to be taking.

The 3–1 loss at Hampden was Wilfried Nancy’s third defeat in three matches since his arrival, a run that has increased pressure not just on the players and coaching staff, but also on those making decisions behind the scenes.

Hartson viewed the result as part of a wider pattern rather than a one-off setback, suggesting it might have been avoided had a different path been taken. His comments resonated with supporters still frustrated by a cup final display that lacked structure, leadership and confidence.

Hartson’s remarks reflect a growing mood of dissatisfaction among the Celtic support. Since the final whistle, many have questioned whether recent situations were handled correctly, particularly around patience, timing and leadership.

By referencing Martin O’Neill, Hartson deliberately pointed back to a time when Celtic showed clear identity, strong discipline and resilience, even when under pressure.

Although there remains debate over where the main responsibility lies, Hartson’s views carry weight given his history at the club and his close link to one of its most successful modern managers.

His message avoided detailed tactical analysis or singling out individuals. Instead, it presented the current predicament as a failure of judgement at the top, made more stark by how quickly events have unfolded.

Hartson’s mention of Martin O’Neill sits at the heart of his point. Under O’Neill, Celtic were defined by clear direction and strong leadership, especially on big occasions.

Hartson appears to believe that changes around the dugout, rather than calming things down, have added to the instability now seen on the pitch.

From his perspective, the scale of recent events called for restraint instead of urgency, and the fallout from that choice was laid bare in front of a national audience at Hampden.

Calling the day “embarrassing” shows how strongly he feels. For a former Celtic forward who lived for major occasions, a cup final sets a basic standard that must be met.

Hartson’s reaction echoes the anger of supporters who watched a side fail to take control, struggle with simple defensive tasks and fall apart once the game swung away from them.

Looking forward, Hartson’s comments increase the pressure on those leading the club.

Dundee United away is next in the Premiership, with the Europa League campaign still finely balanced. There is now very little room for mistakes. Results and performances must improve quickly if confidence is to be restored.

Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup Final – St Mirren v Celtic – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – December 14, 2025 Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy reacts REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Agree or disagree, Hartson’s comments show how serious the situation has become. This is not just about one poor afternoon, but about direction, leadership and decisions made at crucial moments.

Celtic have no luxury of time, and even less tolerance for further humiliation, as the season enters a decisive period.