GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Celtic's Celtic's Shumaira Mheuka in action during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on Sepember 02, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has hinted that he is ready to change his Celtic formation.
So far this season O’Neill has played with a fairly strict 4-3-3 formation that has been dependent on two wingers.
Yang Hyun-jun is unavailable for the next four matches on the left with no obvious replacement.
As his hat-trick at Kilmarnock proved Kasper Hogh is an out and out striker, someone who plays central either with his back to goal or playing the penalty box predator.
Last week Shim Mheuka entered the equation, an 18-year-old on loan from Chelsea.
In two substitute appearances totalling 22 minutes playing time Mheuka looks ready to challenge for a place rather than someone to be be on the fringes, used sparingly.
O’NEILL WEIGHS UP HIS STRIKER OPTIONS
A year ago Celtic were trying to get Kelechi Iheanacho upto match fitness, now O’Neill is almost spoiled for choice.
Four matches over the next 11 days will go a long way. Having a choice of goal-scorers will go a long way to delivering the results that Celtic fans are looking for.
Asked about the impact of Mheuka and his plans for the Chelsea striker, Sky Sports reports O’Neill saying:
I expect decent things of Shim. I expect him to do well. He’s just getting to know the players. He’s getting to know what’s expected of him in terms of style of play, what we do with the ball and what we do without it.
It’s essentially what he does with the ball that will determine not only his time here, but his future in the game and he looks a player. We definitely have got better options up front than we had last season.
Camilo Duran is the other ‘option’ open to O’Neill.
The August SPFL Premiership Player of the Month is certain to start for Celtic with the only issue being in what position.
The Colombian has a very obvious instinct to score goals, either from wide positions cutting in or directly through the centre.
So far O’Neill hasn’t played with two strikers.
That option with Huissem Hassan on the right wing is one that Celtic fans are looking forward to seeing.
With three strong strikers staking a claim it would seem natural for O’Neill’s 26/27 side to evolve into one built around two strikers.
Team news at St Johnstone tonight will be released at 6.45pm.
We’ve gone from being pish up front to awesome and gone from being reasonable at the back to piss poor !