Martin O’Neill has admitted the club are still a long way from winning anything this season as the team prepares for Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash with Rangers at Ibrox.
There is also pressure around the club from supporters frustrated by the lack of progress in Europe and the feeling that the squad has not been strengthened enough to dominate the way Celtic sides have done in previous seasons.
O’Neill acknowledged the reality facing the team. Despite still having opportunities in the league and the cup, he made it clear that no silverware has been secured and the challenge remains ongoing.
He said: (Celtic FC YouTube), “Right, a good point. We’re miles away from winning anything and that is very, very true.
“I think the overall picture is that it should be a wake-up call for the football club, really.
“You could say that in recent years the fans have maybe been spoiled. No real challenges in many aspects.
“Being able to coast home in the last six or seven games of the season, which is great because you’ve done that, but the challenge has not been strong.
“Here it is. Hearts have arrived on the spot maybe a few years before they thought they would do. Rangers have come strongly and spent some money getting good players in at the football club.
“So it’s important for us now. It’s been a challenge all season.
“It’s certainly been a challenge in my couple of spells in here where you’re winning some matches and you’re still trying to peg teams back.
“But we’re in with a chance anyway. That’s the point.
“Regardless of Sunday’s game, as you say, I don’t think it would have a serious bearing.
“But in terms of confidence building, of course, those things always matter.
“But for the league, I’m not sure, it’s down now to nine games left.”
Supporter frustration has been building for some time. Much of it centres on the club’s financial position and how that money has been used. Celtic continue to post strong profits and hold large cash reserves, yet many fans feel that strength has not translated into enough investment in the squad.
The anger is also tied to Europe. Celtic have taken part in European competitions year after year, but deep runs have been rare. For a club with the history and scale of Celtic, supporters believe progress should have come more often over the past two decades.
That context shapes how fans view the current season. When the Hoops faces stronger competition at home, the debate quickly returns to recruitment and ambition. Supporters are not simply reacting to one campaign.
O’Neill’s point about fans being “spoiled” may raise debate because many supporters see the situation differently. From their perspective, the concern is not about expecting easy titles. It is about wanting the club’s financial power to be used more boldly to push Celtic forward on the pitch.
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