Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has voiced serious concerns that ongoing fan protests at matches could further derail the club's season, following disruptive incidents during their recent Europa League clash. The 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart at Parkhead on Thursday was marred when supporters threw tennis balls onto the pitch in the first minute, causing a delay and creating a tense atmosphere.
A Season of Unrest and Boardroom Demands
This disturbance forms part of a broader season of unrest at Celtic Park, where fans have been demanding the removal of the board following a sharp decline in the club's fortunes over the past year. With no immediate resolution in sight, O'Neill admits he is anxious that similar protests could psychologically impact his players and dent their chances of domestic success in the Scottish Premiership.
O'Neill's Psychological Concerns
When asked about the potential for repeat incidents during Celtic's upcoming match against Hibernian, O'Neill stated: 'Well, I would hope not, absolutely. Because it could have the same effect. I don't think it does anybody any good, a disruption of a game like that. I cannot stop people shouting whatever they want to shout at the end of the day. But disrupting the game doesn't help psychologically or in any other aspect.'
The manager endured a particularly chastening evening as the Stuttgart defeat coincided with his 1,000th game in management. Players like Sebastian Tounekti appeared bewildered as the German side celebrated their comprehensive victory, while the early protest set a negative tone for the entire match.
Interim Chairman's Appeal for Unity
Interim chairman Brian Wilson has backed O'Neill's concerns, urging fans to end the disruptions immediately. The former Labour Party politician, who is currently engaged in talks with several disaffected supporter groups, believes such protests could not only affect team performance at this crucial stage of the campaign but also hamper efforts to resolve the ongoing suspension of the Green Brigade supporters' group.
Wilson stated: 'Last night was deeply disappointing for the club in many respects. This started with an orchestrated disruption of the game, causing a delay to an important match. When I came into this role, I asked for unity inside the stadium to support the team while trying to resolve other issues. I want to see suspensions lifted and differences set aside, but this cannot be conditional.'
Progress Remains Uncertain
O'Neill had suggested on Wednesday that some progress was being made in Wilson's discussions with fan groups, but the manager subsequently admitted uncertainty about whether a resolution is imminent. 'I genuinely don't know,' O'Neill added. 'I know that we're trying, seriously. Brian Wilson has got the club at heart. He's a really good speaker, he's a fair-minded man at the end of it all. We thought that we might have been making a bit of progress. Tonight might be something separate. Again, I don't know. But all I'm saying is that a disruption really doesn't help.'
European Challenges and Financial Realities
Celtic now face a monumental challenge in next Thursday's return leg in Germany, with many questioning whether beating sides like Stuttgart remains a realistic possibility for the Scottish club. O'Neill acknowledged the financial disparities in modern football, noting: 'The money has changed the game. There's not the money in the SPFL. No team here can buy a player for £30million. We can't do it, Rangers can't do it, Hearts can't do it. None of the sides can do that. It doesn't mean you can't compete. You'd like to be going deep into European competitions but it's hard.'
Team Selection Decisions Ahead
Looking ahead to the Hibs match, O'Neill is preparing to unleash new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has only made substitute appearances since joining as a free agent. 'He's had a week of training now. That will help him immensely,' revealed O'Neill. 'He's a good player so I think he's got every chance of coming into this side on Sunday. He's also a player that can lift these guys as well, in terms of his performance.'
The manager has yet to decide whether to retain Kasper Schmeichel in goal after the goalkeeper conceded two soft goals in midweek, stating simply: 'This is for another day.' As supporter protests against the board continue to dominate Celtic's season narrative, the club faces both on-field challenges and off-field tensions that threaten to undermine their campaign objectives.
