Celtic board left Martin O'Neill exposed, says Peter Martin
Peter Martin says the Celtic board has left Martin O'Neill "defending the indefensible", as the panel questions the squad's level and Colby Donovan's future.
By Peter Martin,
On The Football Show, Peter Martin said the Celtic board had left Martin O'Neill "defending the indefensible", as the panel asked whether the manager is being hung out to dry and whether the current squad is equipped for European football.
Martin was joined by Alan Rough, Gordon Parks and Tam McManus. The panel also discussed Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor's "basketball" line, players being used out of position, and whether Colby Donovan is good enough for Celtic.
"Quality instead of quantity"
Martin's argument centred on recruitment. O'Neill had asked for "quality instead of quantity", and the verdict on the show was stark: "He's not been given it. He's been exposed."
A squad for Europe
The panel was equally doubtful about Celtic's prospects on the continent. "It's not the quality we used to have," was the assessment. The panel recalled a time when Celtic held their own against Barcelona and Juventus, but said "the calibre of player they've got just now aren't capable enough to go to that level."
The domestic picture drew criticism too, with the view put forward that "It's a bad league", one in which only four teams are worth anything.
Colby Donovan divides the panel
On Donovan, the panel split. One panellist was blunt: "I don't see the potential there." Another was more measured, saying he "can develop into a good player, but I'm not so sure he's going to develop into a player that's good enough for Celtic."
Anthony Ralston and Steven Whittaker also came into the discussion. The panel considered Donovan's deal to 2031, with the phrase "speculate to accumulate" raised in that context.
Hassan, who plays in front of Donovan, was also discussed, with the criticism that "he doesn't track back".
Taken together, the discussion pointed to a shared concern on the panel: that O'Neill is working with a squad short of the quality he asked for, and that the club's recruitment has left him carrying the blame.