Celtic's Struggles Under O'Neill: A Lesson from Midtjylland
On Sunday, Martin O'Neill aimed to avoid the reputation of an outlaw like Robin Hood, but by Thursday, he found himself in the role of a teacher.
The interim manager of Celtic appeared exasperated on the sidelines in Denmark as he witnessed his team being outclassed by a formidable Midtjylland side.
Despite the final score being a two-goal deficit, the 73-year-old remarked that "it could have been any sort of score" against the top team in the Europa League.
Three goals in a blistering eight-minute span during the first half left Celtic gasping for breath.
In reality, three goals felt generous, as Midtjylland had nine shots on target and six additional attempts off target.
This match served as a harsh reminder of the challenges facing the Glasgow club. O'Neill had managed to generate some momentum and briefly alleviate the numerous issues plaguing the team, but that was short-lived.
"The goals we conceded were not good," he stated following his first defeat since returning to the club.
"It may sound as if I'm acting like a teacher, but I will try to teach them about the game as quickly as possible."
Reflecting on Sunday’s League Cup semi-final victory over Rangers, O'Neill mentioned that he felt he aged 20 years. This challenging evening in Denmark certainly did not help alleviate that feeling.
'Some things don’t change' - O'Neill
Just over a month ago, O'Neill observed Midtjylland deliver an impressive performance against Nottingham Forest, winning 3-2. He took note of that display and prepared for a physical encounter with a "very, very good side." However, his players seemed to overlook the lessons learned from Forest's mistakes.
Mikel Kruger-Johnsen scored a stunning second goal, but the two goals he netted in between were preventable, and Celtic failed to stop them.
Anthony Ralston allowed Kruger-Johnsen to deliver a clipped ball to the back post for the opener, and the teenager skillfully maneuvered through defenders for the second goal.
As for the hosts' third goal, Celtic collectively failed to clear the lines from a throw-in.
O'Neill explained, "In terms of defending, I told the players that while some things change in football, others remain constant. Once a winger takes on a full-back, you must stop him from entering the penalty area. If he gets there, he is in a safe position."
He added, "For the second goal, we found ourselves in a 2v2 situation and allowed the player to come inside and score. From our perspective, this was poor defending."
The need for O'Neill to simplify these defensive principles is telling, highlighting serious issues. While Midtjylland performed admirably, Celtic did not make them work hard for their victory.
"The third goal almost sealed our fate, so I was not surprised, just disappointed by the goals we conceded," O'Neill remarked. "To compete at the highest level, you need both ability and mentality, and sometimes mentality surpasses ability."
He concluded, "It may sound like I'm teaching, but I will try to improve the team as quickly as possible. Some things they may already know need reiterating, while others may not be familiar, and it's my responsibility to enhance the football club."
'Nothing was solved at the weekend' - McGregor
The pressing question remains: how long will O'Neill have to turn Celtic around?
His return, alongside assistant Shaun Maloney, has rekindled a sense of optimism, but that can only last so long. The humor surrounding O'Neill's matchday antics has faded, and the deep-rooted issues within Celtic have resurfaced dramatically.
Captain Callum McGregor, who played a pivotal role in Sunday’s extra-time victory, was quick to remind everyone not to get carried away.
"Nothing has been resolved after a really good game last weekend," the midfielder stated following the defeat in Denmark. "We understand the importance of staying grounded. We faced a very strong side, a well-organized club that knows its strengths. There is still significant growth needed within our team, and we are aware of our current position and where we aim to be."
It seems Celtic is far from reaching that destination, and the task ahead will be monumental for whoever is responsible for guiding them there. On this sobering night, the interim manager is not the one taking the heat; it is the board, who managed to quiet the scrutiny directed at them for a brief period following O'Neill's reinstatement, that will once again feel the pressure.