To say Celtic were all over the shop last season would be the understatement of the century.
Everything and anything went wrong, hence why Celtic’s style of play was nowhere to be seen, and the club picked up wins off the cuff and dragged themselves to an unlikely domestic double.
Now that Martin O’Neill has the luxury of a full pre-season and the opportunity to bring in his own signings, he finally has the platform to satisfy one of his key targets: Elevating Celtic’s overall style of play.
Ahead of the new season, O’Neill has stated: “What I’d like to try and do this season is, as I have said to you about managing in a different fashion to what I used to do years ago, I think I can marry the both in many aspects.
“By that, I mean I thought the side 25 years ago played very quickly, played with a dash, and we had a lot of very fine players. I think we can marry the both. I think when we have possession of the ball, it’s great to keep it, but I’d like us to keep it for a purpose. There’s always a purpose for trying to break down defences.”
67 Hail Hail have put forward three Celtic players who can help provide that old-school style with that modern-day magic touch that O’Neill is hoping to implement for the 2026/27 Premiership season.
Name the Celtic players who you think need a BIG pre-season? 🍀🤔
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Alistair Johnston
One of the most consistent players at Celtic. Alistair Johnston had a strong World Cup, and hopefully nobody comes in to sign this summer, as he is one of the best players at the club.
Johnston missed the majority of the previous campaign through injury.
Still, his ability to balance attack and defence, including getting the best out of the winger in front of him, will be key to the Hoops finding that regular flow again.
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Cameron Carter-Vickers was a huge miss last season, but he is back in pre-season and ready for the new campaign.
Celtic missed his calmness after he went down injured in October.
By bringing that much-needed control to the backline, Carter-Vickers will allow the team to play out in a smoother, more composed, and highly efficient manner.
That was a huge issue last term, especially with the balance, because you had two left-footers operating at the heart of defence in Liam Scales and Auston Trusty.
How do you feel about Ross Grant joining from Hearts?
Share your thoughts, Celtic fans…👇
Callum Osmand
The future of Celtic? Callum Osmand played very little during his debut campaign, but still produced some huge, huge moments, including that goal against Hearts on the final day of the season.
Even though Osmand was signed under Brendan Rodgers, the now Saudi Pro League boss hardly used the youngster from Fulham before he burst into life during O’Neill’s first spell in October.
If Osmand can stay away from the treatment room, then his ability to play across the front three, bring energy to a drained-out forward line, and produce off-your-seat magic will allow O’Neill to elevate Celtic’s style of play from an attacking sense.
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