Celtic’s problems have become increasingly difficult to ignore. Following a heavy defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, Martin O’Neill’s side suffered another damaging loss against Ferencvaros, conceding three more goals and delivering a performance that offered few signs of recovery.


The concern is no longer limited to one poor result. Celtic looked short of confidence, intensity, creativity and defensive organisation throughout the 3-1 defeat. Their football was cautious and disjointed, with too many misplaced passes, soft challenges and attacks that lacked speed or purpose.

For a team that once played with aggression and conviction under Ange Postecoglou, this version of Celtic feels like a pale imitation.


Celtic’s decline is alarming

At their best, Celtic were proactive and fearless. They pressed with energy, moved the ball quickly and created uncertainty for opposing defenders. Their attacking football was built around pace, movement, risk-taking and belief.

Against Ferencvaros, those qualities were largely absent.


Celtic enjoyed 62.5% possession during the first half but went into the interval trailing 2-1. Much of their possession was unproductive, with the ball circulating safely without creating enough danger in the final third.

When Celtic attempted to respond after falling behind, their efforts were mostly hopeful shots from distance rather than attacks built through coordinated pressing, clever movement and quick passing. The team appeared to lack a clear route back into the match.

The result was a flat and frustrating performance in front of increasingly restless supporters.


O’Neill’s mood mirrors team

Scottish football can change quickly, and Sunday’s Old Firm meeting at Celtic Park could still produce a dramatic turnaround. Celtic will expect a reaction after the humiliation at Ibrox, while the home advantage could provide the lift they desperately need.

However, supporters have legitimate reasons to worry. Celtic have now endured a series of poor performances, including five goals conceded against LASK, a painful defeat to Rangers and the latest setback against Ferencvaros.


Thursday’s display evoked memories of other difficult European nights, including defeats by Cluj, Copenhagen and Sparta Prague. The atmosphere became increasingly uncomfortable as the visitors grew in confidence and the home crowd responded with loud booing.

After the match, O’Neill spoke about frustration, failure and the psychological impact of such damaging defeats. He promised that Celtic would regroup before facing Rangers, but his comments lacked the conviction normally associated with the manager.


His analysis of the team’s weaknesses was accurate, yet he did not sound like a coach with immediate solutions. In that sense, O’Neill’s post-match mood reflected Celtic’s performance: heavy, tired and devoid of inspiration.


O’Neill must rediscover his authority

O’Neill has solved difficult problems during his managerial career. During his first spell at Celtic, he delivered major trophies and built a team with a powerful winning mentality. When he returned to the club amid uncertainty last season, he restored structure and confidence.


His personality gave Celtic resilience. The team was not always entertaining, but it was organised, competitive and extremely difficult to defeat. That spirit carried them through the title run-in.

That sense of defiance now appears distant. Celtic no longer look like a side that expects to overcome setbacks. Instead, one mistake seems to lead to another, while confidence disappears as soon as the opposition applies pressure.


O’Neill must find a way to restore belief quickly. If he cannot, the players may continue to perform as though they are waiting for something to go wrong.


Defensive errors continue

Celtic began the Ferencvaros match reasonably well but conceded after a preventable error. They briefly responded with a moment of quality, only to return to the hesitant and passive football that has characterised their recent matches.


Their second conceded goal exposed several problems at once. Celtic failed to compete decisively for a loose ball, did not stop the cross and then became disorganised inside the penalty area.

The sequence was not simply an individual mistake. It reflected a wider lack of communication, aggression and defensive responsibility.


Ferencvaros repeatedly found space between Celtic’s midfield and defence, while the home side struggled to apply sustained pressure. Even when Celtic had possession, they did not appear comfortable controlling the match.


Attack lacks confidence

Celtic’s problems are also clear in attack. Camilo Duran, operating behind Kasper Hogh, had only eight touches in the opening half despite playing in a position where he is usually most effective. The player who began his Celtic career with enthusiasm and energy now appears short of confidence.


Hogh has also struggled to reproduce the form that made him so prolific for Bodo Glimt. Before joining Celtic, the striker scored against several high-profile European opponents, including Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Sporting, Porto, Jagiellonia and Olympiacos.

At Celtic, however, he has scored only once in eight appearances. His first touch has often let him down, and he has not received a consistent supply of chances. O’Neill has yet to unlock the qualities that persuaded Celtic to spend £11 million on him.


Callum McGregor is another concern. The long-serving captain and midfield leader looked short of influence, and Celtic need him to regain control if they are to turn their season around.


Rangers clash could define next step

O’Neill now needs immediate solutions. Celtic are lacking creativity, composure, physical strength, attacking ruthlessness and the mental toughness required to respond when matches become difficult.

The manager has overcome challenging periods in the past, which is why many supporters still believe he can reverse the decline. However, the scale of the current problems is considerable, and his team needs more than a short-term emotional lift.


McGregor admitted that Celtic are “a little bit broken” at present. That description captures the mood around the club.

Rangers will arrive at Celtic Park sensing an opportunity to inflict another defeat on a wounded opponent. Celtic, meanwhile, must show that the recent results represent a slump rather than a deeper collapse.


Sunday’s Old Firm clash could reveal a great deal about the direction of both teams, and about whether O’Neill can still restore the fight, confidence and identity that Celtic have lost.