The final international break of the 2025/26 season has concluded, signalling the definitive return of domestic football.
This is the crucial juncture where Celtic will discover the true worth of a largely abject campaign, which has seen Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and Martin O’Neill call the shots from the sidelines.
It is a rarity, but Scottish football is currently delivering an incredibly thrilling title race. This isn’t Celtic dominating again, but Hearts hoping to pull off the biggest of upsets.
The Hoops languish in third spot in the Premiership table, their hopes of retaining the crown diminishing weekly, yet they boast O’Neill’s expertise and genius in the Celtic Park dugout.
But who must deliver on the pitch? Which single player, performing at their absolute peak, can guide Celtic to glory?
67 Hail Hail will provide some options, and you can decide.
Who are you picking Celtic fans, and why?
Celtic’s Engine Room: Callum McGregor
This morale-sapping campaign from Celtic has been one of the most difficult seasons in a storied and trophy-laden career that has routinely seen Callum McGregor romp to league titles with consummate ease.
Historically, McGregor has lifted silverware as casually as arranging cutlery on a dining table, dominating the centre of the park like not many before him in the history of the Scottish game.
However, the pressing question remains: can the captain produce his absolute best performances in these crucial final weeks? He must provide the much-needed control and tempo-setting rhythm that has been starkly missing for Celtic this term.
When McGregor dictates the play, it inherently benefits everyone else. He is precisely that rare calibre of player, a true leader whose individual brilliance effortlessly makes everyone around him better, and if he clicks in these final few weeks, then title number 56 might just be on its way.
The Final Third Threat: Benjamin Nygren
Benjamin Nygren returns to Celtic on a massive high after helping Sweden qualify for the World Cup.
As Celtic’s top scorer, his impact has often divided fans, but without those crucial goals, Celtic would be in a far worse situation.
High-pressure moments demand true match-winners and difference-makers. Say what you want about the rest of Nygren’s overall play, but he delivers goals again and again. If he is operating at an absolute 100% during this critical title run-in, Celtic are in with a serious chance of lifting the title.
| Nygren’s Premiership games | Goals | Goals conversion | Minutes per goal |
| 31 | 15 | 21% | 132.8 |
From Zero to 100 Miles Per Hour: Daizen Maeda
Celtic’s speed machine has been a shadow this season, a stark contrast to the form that earned Daizen Maeda Celtic’s PFA Player of the Year last term.
Right now, Celtic desperately need a forward to click. O’Neill has exhausted every resource trying to find the answer from Kelechi Iheanacho to the loaned-out Johnny Kenny, but nobody is taking their chance.
Maeda is the proven one out of all his attacking teammates. If he can rediscover those PFA POTY performances, he will provide the goals Celtic have craved and at such a crucial time.
As a result, they will win matches for Celtic, and winning the title will become a reality.
At what price would you consider selling Daizen Maeda?
The Mystery Saviour: Is It Someone Else?
There are other contenders. Some might look towards the backline and Auston Trusty; when at his best, Celtic are a formidable defensive unit, as proven at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup a few weeks ago.
But keeping clean sheets isn’t the answer to winning the title during these final weeks; Celtic need goals, goals and goals.
Reo Hatate, who will most likely leave in the summer, is another option. Nobody is better when at his peak, but can he finally put a shine on an abject campaign?
Or will another striker finally step up? From January signings Tomas Cvancara to Junior Adamu, if they deliver, Celtic will win the big games, putting the title firmly within reach.
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