It is a bitter pill for the Celtic faithful to swallow, but Andy Halliday is speaking the absolute truth about the current state of the club.
Having watched Celtic up close from Motherwell’s bench just last week, Halliday has a front-row insight into exactly how disjointed this side has become.
Halliday is entirely right to state that Celtic would be in considerably deeper trouble had Martin O’Neill not answered Dermot Desmond’s SOS call – first returning in October, and then stepping in for a second time following the absolute nightmare that was Wilfried Nancy’s 33-day spell in charge.
“My feeling on Martin O’Neill is that I don’t think Celtic are even close to a title race if Martin O’Neill isn’t there,” said Halliday.
“I think before Martin O’Neill came in, or if it continued, or it’s not Martin O’Neill who comes in, that Celtic aren’t even third in the league, such as the quality of the starting XI at this moment in time, even though there are injuries.”
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While O’Neill provides the vital leadership and man-management at the top, the reality is that Shaun Maloney is the one taking the coaching sessions and implementing the tactical plans on the grass.
To their credit, they have managed to grind out some massive results across O’Neill’s two spells, including crucial victories over Rangers and a memorable European win at Feyenoord.
However, as Halliday correctly pointed out after Celtic’s defeat to Dundee United, the actual performances have been largely dire.
There is far too much sterile possession at the back without any real penetration or ability to play between the lines.
Ultimately, the players have to take responsibility for this massive drop in performance levels.
Celtic’s lack of quality and urgency is glaring, and you fear there is more suffering to come ahead of the post-split fixtures.
It’s exactly why fans should expect the biggest clearout in Celtic’s history this coming summer, as Halliday hit the nail on the head when talking about the issues at the club, as he told Clyde 1.
“My feeling on Martin O’Neill is that I don’t think Celtic are even close to a title race if Martin O’Neill isn’t there,” said Halliday.
“I think before Martin O’Neill came in, or if it continued, or it’s not Martin O’Neill who comes in, that Celtic aren’t even third in the league, such as the quality of the starting XI at this moment in time, even though there are injuries.
“Given that the Wilfried Nancy debacle when he was in charge. I think Martin O’Neill has done ever so well with what he has got at his disposal and won the amount of games that they have, even though performance levels haven’t been great since he has come in.
“He has always been open and honest. In terms of the coaching and the plans in place, I think that’s more down to Shaun Maloney.
“When you watch it against Dundee United. I don’t really know what Celtic are. I think there is a lot of playing out from the back without any real penetration, without looking to play in between the lines or play in between the lines.
“I thought it out loud. Dundee United just pressed in straight lines and defended their box. I thought it looked very, very easy for them.”
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