Celtic's European slump puts Martin O'Neill under scrutiny
After a 2-1 home defeat to Celta Vigo, The Football Show panel asked whether Martin O'Neill is making excuses for Celtic's European record.
By PLZ Soccer,
On The Football Show, Tam McManus and Gordon Parks joined Peter Martin to pick over Celtic 1-2 Celta Vigo, the club's third European defeat in three. The panel put the run in stark terms: "scored three, conceded nine".
The central question was whether Martin O'Neill is "defending the indefensible" in the way he has spoken about a Celtic side with a poor European record. Peter offered his own view of the manager's position, saying "he's been muzzled".
"European football has parked Celtic"
That line framed much of the discussion. The panel also argued that "Celtic are probably a Conference League team now" and said "We're not fooled by a 7-1 hammering".
They examined Colby Donovan and the back four, and pointed out that "Celta Vigo had a younger team than Celtic last night". Celta's passing came in for attention too. The panel asked whether McGregor and O'Neill should have gone in the summer, and whether the fans can get the board out.
Looking ahead to Hibs v Celtic, the talk turned to Marink Reedijk and the captaincy. Neil Doncaster also came up, under the heading "Selling a Lada with no engine".
Hearts and Rangers
With Scottish football's standing in Europe falling, the panel looked for positives for Wouter Vrancken and Hearts after Trabzonspor 2-0 Hearts. The trip to Turkey was summed up with "you're up against Mo Salah". Motherwell v Hearts was previewed next.
Rangers face St Johnstone after dropping points to Dundee at Dens Park last week. The panel considered whether they can get back on track, and discussed Simo Valakari's St Johnstone.
Pressley picked as best manager
Asked to name the best manager in the league, Tam picked Steven Pressley. The panel also previewed Aberdeen v Dundee United, St Mirren v Dundee and Falkirk v Kilmarnock, with their predictions. Discussion took in all-Scottish XIs, Norway's homegrown rule, Stephen Robinson and Jim Goodwin's Dundee United.
The show also marked 55 years since Partick Thistle beat Celtic 4-1 in the 1971 League Cup final, and paid tribute to Giorgi Nemsadze.