Chris Sutton’s verdict on Celtic’s ongoing issue in the forward position was perfectly highlighted when he compared Martin O’Neill’s selection tactics to a tombola raffle.
Celtic have been woeful in front of goal, scoring only half the number of goals (56) they managed across the 2024/25 campaign (112).
Martin O’Neill has been forced to chop and change his striking options ever since he stepped foot through the door, with none of them really making the position their own, and Sutton’s analogy describes the situation perfectly.
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Who are you backing?
Chris Sutton on Celtic’s striker issues
Tomas Cvancara was the man given the nod to lead the line against Dundee and probably the favoured choice, but he is hardly the free-scoring forward Celtic had hoped for.
Sutton believes that even O’Neill doesn’t know how to solve the problem and is effectively picking names out of a hat and hoping for the best.
He told Sky Sports: I don’t think Martin O’Neill really knows. I think it’s a bit of a tombola one for him.
“Just picking a name out and going for it because there’s nobody who’s really sort of grabbed that position by the scruff of the neck.
“Iheanacho played against Dundee United, likes to come to the ball and link things but then there’s no real connection from the wide areas.”
Celtic will have to break their transfer record to sign dream striker
A squad overhaul is coming this summer but the forward position may be where Celtic spend the most cash.
Junior Adamu and Iheanacho will almost certainly depart while Cvancara may fulfil his dream of staying permanently.
You have been given £10m to sign one player for Celtic in the summer transfer window…
Which player are you spending that money on?
Johnny Kenny could leave too while youngster Callum Osmand deserves to stay. That means two more strikers need to come in as the bare minimum but goals come at a premium.
Names like Kasper Hogh and Armando Gonzalez will definitely require Celtic to break their transfer record.
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