Martin O’Neill Planning Celtic Shift

If Martin O’Neill is indeed confirmed as Celtic’s next permanent manager, one of the most interesting aspects of his second spell may not be what he achieved last season, but what he plans to change going forward.

There is little argument with the results.

O’Neill inherited a club in turmoil twice during the campaign and twice managed to steady the ship. Celtic’s dramatic title win over Hearts and subsequent Scottish Cup success ensured the season ended with a domestic double despite managerial chaos, supporter unrest and a squad many had written off.

But even O’Neill appears to recognise that simply finding ways to win late games is not a long-term strategy.

Celtic scored a remarkable number of crucial goals during the title run-in. Daizen Maeda’s revival, Kelechi Iheanacho’s impact from the bench and Callum Osmand’s dramatic winner against Hearts all proved decisive.

Yet there were plenty of performances where Celtic looked vulnerable and struggled to control matches in the way supporters had become accustomed to under Brendan Rodgers.

Now, according to O’Neill’s long-time friend and journalist Graham Spiers, the veteran manager is already thinking about evolving the team’s style.

Writing on his Patreon, Spiers revealed:

“O’Neill would like to alter the way Celtic play and this will be no easy task. He believes that over-possession – a surfeit of passing – has to be adjusted to a more aggressive, front-footed, hostile type of football. He would like Celtic to be more urgent in reaching the final third.”

That is a notable shift in thinking.

For years Celtic have been built around dominating possession, patiently working openings and controlling territory through the ball. While that approach brought success under Rodgers, there were periods last season where possession became sterile and attacks lacked urgency.

The challenge for O’Neill will be implementing those ideas with a squad largely assembled to play a different way.

As Spiers notes, much of the current group has spent years operating within Rodgers’ principles.

That means any tactical evolution would require buy-in throughout the club.

The good news for O’Neill is that he already possesses several players who naturally suit a more direct, aggressive approach.

Daizen Maeda thrives in transition. Alistair Johnston’s athleticism makes him a constant attacking outlet. Callum Osmand’s movement in behind looks like it offers a different dimension, while Iheanacho’s ability to bring others into play has already proven valuable.

If O’Neill does sign the reported one-year deal with an option for a second, supporters may find next season’s Celtic looking quite different from the side that won the double.

The trophies may have earned him the job. The challenge now is building a style that can sustain that success.