How many wake-up calls do Celtic need before somebody finally acts?
Last season should have been the first. In fact, O’Neill said as much himself. Yet many of the same problems remain, and they are now being exposed with alarming regularity.
Celtic beat Dundee United 4-0 in the cup, but the scoreline disguised a concerning performance. United struck the woodwork five times and repeatedly exposed just how open Celtic were.
Was that not a wake-up call?
This team are too easily played through. They leave huge spaces when attacks break down and give opponents repeated opportunities on the counterattack. A better – or luckier – side would have punished Celtic that day.
Then came the collapse against LASK.
Celtic were 4-0 ahead in the tie with an hour left to play, yet somehow threw away that commanding advantage after extra time. It cost the club Champions League football.
Surely that was a wake-up call.
St Mirren were then allowed to register 19 shots against Celtic. That should have set alarm bells ringing long before Rangers dismantled O’Neill’s side at Ibrox.
Sunday’s performance did not come from nowhere. Celtic were played through far too easily once again and appeared to have no coherent plan.
When Rangers moved an extra player into midfield, Celtic could not cope. More worryingly, they did not appear to know how to respond.
There was no effective tactical adjustment and no sign that the players understood how to regain control. Celtic looked disorganised, out of control, physically short and bereft of ideas.
That is why the result should not have surprised anyone who has watched this team closely. If it genuinely surprised the management, that would be even more concerning.
Celtic now face a massive week, but nobody at the club can pretend another warning is required. The warning signs have been there since last season and have continued into the new campaign.
It is time to stop talking about wake-up calls.
O’Neill and his coaching staff must find a system that suits these players, improve their fitness – which they are so clearly lacking at this moment – and give them a clear tactical structure. Celtic need to start looking like a properly coached football team.
They have hit the snooze button often enough. Now they have to act.
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