Martin O’Neill was brutally honest after Celtic’s win over St Mirren, despite taking all three points at Celtic Park.
Celtic went ahead early through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and had openings to make the game easier. That second goal never arrived, and the course of the game began to change.
St Mirren grew into it as time went on. They started to win the ball further up the pitch and forced Celtic into longer spells without control. What looked comfortable early on turned into something much tighter.
By the closing stages, Celtic were back in their own box dealing with crosses and set pieces. It felt familiar, with the game still alive when it should have been finished.
O’Neill said: (Sky Sports), “I thought that we lacked energy.
“In the second half, we surrendered possession quite easily.
“We allowed some very strong periods of the game for them.
“When we got the first goal, we didn’t go and get the second.
“Some of our football wasn’t up to the standard that we were hoping to have.”
That lines up with what happened on the pitch. Celtic started well, moved the ball with purpose, and found space early. Once the goal went in, that sharpness faded.
Control in midfield slipped. The ball slowed down, and St Mirren stepped in to break things up. Without that second goal, the game never settled.
Celtic still saw it out. The defence stood up when needed, and the clean sheet held.
But it is a pattern that keeps showing up. Early lead, missed chances, then a long finish where control is lost.
O’Neill’s comments reflect that clearly. It is not about the points. It is about what happens after going in front, and how the game is managed from there.
