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The Football Show · 22 September 2026
Will Celtic manager Martin O'Neill resign due to stress, health concerns, recent poor team performances, and a lack of proper squad depth?
Poor Celtic FC Recruitment and Squad Quality: There is heavy criticism of Celtic’s recent recruitment strategy, noting that only two new signings started Celtic vs Rangers and that the current squad lacks the physical and technical quality of previous seasons.
Celtic Player On-Field Performance Concerns: We highlight that Celtic appears weak, easily pressed, and vulnerable against opponents compared to Rangers, who are perceived to have built a stronger, deeper squad tailored for Scottish football.
Potential Martin O'Neill Replacements: Odds and potential candidates for the managerial role are debated, including Neil Lennon, Shaun Maloney, Scott Brown, Robbie Keane, Steve Clarke, and Kieran McKenna.
Celtic FC Boardroom and Ownership Issues: The panel argue that Celtic’s broader problems stem from board oversight and Dermot Desmond's ownership approach, which they suggest prioritizes financial profits over competitive European ambition.
00:00 – Martin O'Neill's Future & Potential Resignation
Discussion on whether Celtic manager Martin O'Neill might resign due to stress, recent poor performances, and health concerns.
01:53 – Poor Recruitment & Squad Depth Issues
Critique of Celtic's recent transfer recruitment strategy and a comparison of their lack of squad depth against Rangers.
03:22 – Post-Match Comments & On-Field Struggles
Analysis of O'Neill's press conference comments, refereeing decisions during the recent match, and Celtic’s physical and technical vulnerabilities on the pitch.
05:28 – Celtic Boardroom & Dermot Desmond Criticism
Addressing boardroom oversight, takeover rumours, and criticism of Dermot Desmond’s ownership approach favouring financial profit over European ambition in the Champions League.
08:23 – Celtic's Upcoming Fixture Risks & Managerial Candidates
An overview of Celtic's challenging schedule ahead, alongside a breakdown of betting odds and potential replacement candidates like Kieran McKenna and Neil Lennon.
13:31 – Alternative Options & International Break Strategy
Debating potential managerial targets like Jens Berthel Askou, while evaluating how both Rangers and Celtic will utilize the three-week international break.
14:40 – Scottish Premiership Title Race & Board Succession Planning
Concluding thoughts on the Scottish Premiership title race, the board's lack of long-term succession planning, and upcoming shareholder tensions.
After Celtic 0-1 Rangers and back-to-back Old Firm defeats, Peter Martin, Gary Harkins and Tam McManus ask the question every Celtic fan is asking: why are Celtic in crisis, and is Martin O'Neill about to walk away?
Are Celtic really weaker than last season?
The panel think so. They point to a recruitment strategy that has left the squad short of the physical and technical quality of the double-winning side, with only two of the summer signings even starting against Rangers, and a team that now looks easily pressed and second best in the biggest games.
Will Martin O'Neill resign?
With stress, his age, poor performances and a lack of squad depth all in the mix, the panel sense O'Neill may decide enough is enough over the international break, his legacy intact, rather than fight a battle he may not have the players to win.
Who could replace Martin O'Neill?
The runners and riders are weighed up, from Neil Lennon and Shaun Maloney to Scott Brown, Robbie Keane, Steve Clarke and Kieran McKenna.
Is the Celtic board the real problem?
For the panel, that is the heart of it. Celtic's deeper issues, they argue, come from the boardroom and Dermot Desmond's ownership, a model that prioritises profit over the European ambition the fans crave, and nothing changes until that does.
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