Martin O’Neill knows exactly where Celtic stand heading into the weekend. There is no margin left, and the table reflects that.
The Hoops are now chasing after dropping points at Tannadice. That defeat before the break has changed the tone around the run-in, leaving Celtic needing to respond straight away.
22nd March 2026; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Dundee United versus Celtic; Celtic interim manager Martin ONeill tells his players to keep the ball on the ground
O’Neill now takes the team back to Dundee, this time to Dens Park, with the pressure clear. It is no longer about building form. It is about staying in the title race.
The situation is simple. If Celtic slip again, they risk losing touch before the split. O’Neill is well aware of that as he prepares the side for a game that now carries more meaning.
He said: (Celtic TV), “It was terribly disappointing at Tannadice.
“Really disappointing in every aspect.
“We’re on a run. We should have been ready to take conditions and everything into consideration.
“Just a big disappointment, particularly at this stage because we don’t have any room for manoeuvring and that gives you even less.
“But we’re far from out of it and it’s a massive game on Sunday. A really big game and one that we’ve essentially got to win now.
“That won’t be easy, but if we’re still in contention really come the split, we then have three home games and two away against the big sides, it’s still all to play for in that sense.”
You can hear the frustration in O’Neill’s comments. It wasn’t just the result, it was how Celtic dealt with it. The conditions weren’t great, but the team never really adapted to what was in front of them.
That’s where the change has to come. If the game turns messy again this weekend, O’Neill will want a quicker response. Move the ball earlier, go more direct when needed, and deal with the moments when it stops being a passing game.
The midfield becomes key in that kind of game. It’s about picking up second balls and keeping play in the right areas. It might not look like Celtic at their best, but it’s what gets you through games like this.
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