GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 11: Celtic huddle ahead of kick off during the William Hill Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has completely changed the formation of his Celtic side for today’s Glasgow Derby.
Only three changes have been made but it looks like the Irishman has abandoned wingers to switch to wing-backs and a return to 3-5-2.
Auston Trusty, Luke McCowan and Ben Nygren come into the side at the expense of Haissem Hassan, James Forest and Oliver Sorenson. The on loan Dane fails to make it onto the bench.
Trusty looks like slotting into a three man defence with Colby Donovan and Kieran Tierney pushed forward to bolster the Celtic midfield.
Nygren and Camilo Duran certainly carry a goal threat, getting the supply through to them will be the issue to solve.
There are plenty of forward options on the bench including Shim Mheuka who wasn’t included in the Europa League squad.
RECENT EVENTS UNDER O’NEILL LEAD TO BIG CELTIC CHANGES
The pressure is all on O’Neill today despite going into the match on a 13 match winning run in the SPFL Premiership.
Celtic’s 1-0 win away to St Johnstone seems a long way off after successive big match defeats that have raised massive questions.
Midfield problems seem to be highlighting other issues with the forwards starved of service while the defence is left exposed.
Somehow O’Neill has to find a way around those issues today, if he succeeds the rewards are obvious.
An eight point lead after seven matches would be an incredible cushion. It is unlikely that such a position exists anywhere else in Europe.
A third successive defeat and a two point advantage looks paper thin as Celtic go into the first international break of the season.
Celtic return on October 11 away to Motherwell followed by a Europa League trip to Benfica before hosting Hearts on October 18.
John Beaton will referee today’s match with Nick Walsh on VAR assisted by Grant Irvine
CELTIC: Sinisalo; Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Scales, Donovan, McGregor, Baur, McCowan, Tierney; Nygren, Duran.Â
SUBS: Johnstone, Hogh, Tounekti, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hassan, Mheuka, Murray, Forrest, Ralston
Hiding in the cupboard under the stairs until this one’s over. Thank goodness somebody has noticed that Sorensen isn’t very good at football.
A defensive pick to keep the score down wtfs happening , we’re in for a humiliation
C’MON RA’ HOOPS !!!!
We are playing with 9 men – Nygren and McCowan are contributing nothing. Again. We will be lucky to escape with a point.
Hail hail get a grip 3-1 to the bhoys keep the faith.????????????
3 weeks to save the season
Get all the coaching staff out and replaced
That’s what should happen
But it won’t