Charlie Mulgrew says Celtic are trying to win the title with “one hand behind their back.”
Martin O’Neill’s side are now five points off league leaders Hearts, with a decisive season run-in upon us after the international break.
Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Dundee United was a significant setback, after the Hoops had made up ground in the race with a win over Motherwell and a crucial point at Ibrox.
Mulgrew has explained why things are so difficult for the interim Celtic boss.
Who are you backing?
Charlie Mulgrew: Celtic ‘bullied’ without striker vs Dundee United
After a caller on the Go Radio Football Show had criticised the Parkhead board for recruitment, Mulgrew said: “He’s right. Celtic did not look like scoring at all.
“Celtic are trying to win the league here, with one hand behind their back. With no striker! That’s like trying to put an outfield player in goal and trying to win a league!
READ MORE: Celtic performance vs Dundee Utd was worst under Martin O’Neill, Callum McGregor says
“The recruitment’s not been good enough, and it’s catching up with Celtic now.
“Yesterday, if you had some physical striker, or some sort of physical attributes, you could’ve played a bit more direct and caused a bit more problems.
“Instead, you’re just trying to play launch balls up to Maeda, Iheanacho… it wasn’t good enough from Celtic. They didn’t look like scoring.
“Celtic’s performances have not been great of late.
They’ve not been great at all. They’ve picked up results, but ultimately, when you come up against a pitch like that, and your performances aren’t good, and you’re a wee bit in between styles of when to play long and when to play short…
“You get caught up. And a team like Dundee United, who know exactly what they are, they don’t try to overcomplicate things, they try and play to the conditions, and they’ve got the players to do it.
“They bullied Celtic yesterday.”
What position would Celtic be in NOW if Brendan Rodgers was still in charge?
Things could've been very different…
In the surprise absence of Tomas Cvancara, Kelechi Iheanacho led the line at Tannadice, his first start of 2026.
January signing Junior Adamu was left on the bench, without having started a game since being hooked at half-time for a disappointing display at Ibrox.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
