Martin O’Neill has admitted Celtic are still not fully up to speed despite extending their perfect Premiership start with a 2-1 win over St Mirren.
Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland after the game, he said: “No, we’re not up to speed.
“I think that’s almost inevitable, really, because players have come into the squad. Some young players, for instance.
“Shim hasn’t really played first-team games properly. I’m talking about under pressure like this, and this is big pressure.
“I thought he did really fine.
“I’m really disappointed for him. The offside goal must have been very, very tight indeed.
“But he’ll come on, and so will some of the other players for this year.
“It’s a matter of trying to balance out, but the most important thing for us is to try and win football matches, regardless of who we have on the field.”
Celtic brought in several players during the final days of the summer window, leaving O’Neill with a squad that is still bedding together.
That was visible in Paisley. Celtic had good spells, particularly after half-time, but St Mirren were still able to create chances late on and force Viljami Sinisalo into action.
O’Neill returned to the same point later in the interview.
“But the new players that have come in definitely need some work,” he said.
That does not mean Celtic are struggling for results. Quite the opposite. Five wins from five has given O’Neill the ideal platform while he works out how best to fit the newer faces into his side.
The next challenge is turning those results into complete performances as the new arrivals get fitter and more comfortable with what is being asked of them.
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