Celtic's Striking Crisis Exposed in Laboured Victory Over St Mirren
The subdued reaction from manager Martin O'Neill following Celtic's hard-fought victory over St Mirren spoke volumes about the current state of affairs at Parkhead. While securing three points remained the primary objective on Saturday, there was no disguising the underwhelming nature of their performance as they narrowly edged past their determined opponents.
Managerial Honesty Reflects Fan Concerns
The veteran manager, who deserves considerable credit for keeping this inconsistent squad in Premiership title contention at this crucial stage of the season, made no attempt to sugar-coat their laboured display. In truth, Celtic supporters didn't need O'Neill to point out what has been evident for some time - the Scottish champions face multiple significant challenges, with the most glaring being their striking deficiencies.
Celtic ultimately owed their victory to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's fine 15th-minute finish during their most vibrant period of the contest. Their failure to secure a second goal to ease the tension during what became a tortuous afternoon for home supporters served as yet another example of their lack of cutting edge in attacking positions.
Striking Problems Laid Bare
The recruitment of forwards has been particularly problematic for Celtic, and they may yet pay a substantial price for these shortcomings. Tomas Cvancara retained his starting position as central striker despite his misfiring performance at Dundee the previous Sunday. The Czech international, on loan from Borussia Moenchengladbach, delivered another disappointing performance, appearing completely devoid of confidence.
Cvancara's lack of conviction was exemplified when he failed to beat St Mirren substitute goalkeeper Ryan Mullen, who replaced the injured Shamal George. The forward has managed just two goals in thirteen appearances this season, with his only significant contribution against St Mirren being the challenge that injured Saints keeper George.
Limited Alternatives Available
After sixty minutes, with Celtic flagging badly as St Mirren enjoyed a bright period of composed possession, O'Neill replaced Cvancara with Kelechi Iheanacho. The Nigerian provided more physical presence and helped push Celtic further up the pitch during the closing stages, but he missed a relatively simple near-post chance to double Celtic's lead.
Iheanacho's tally of four goals in seventeen appearances tells its own story, with most of those appearances coming from the bench. O'Neill has openly admitted that the 29-year-old's regular fitness issues leave him unconvinced about the striker's ability to complete ninety minutes.
Alternative solutions for the number nine role remain scarce. Daizen Maeda, a shadow of the performer who was Scotland's Player of the Year last season, has now gone seventeen games without scoring and seems unlikely to be switched from his preferred wide role.
Transfer Window Failures Compound Problems
Neither Junior Adamu nor Joel Mvuka, the two strikers Celtic scrambled to sign on loan during the winter transfer window's final hours, were even named among Saturday's substitutes. Callum Osmand, who made a positive impression during O'Neill's first interim spell earlier this season, is back in training after a serious hamstring injury but remains inexperienced at just twenty years old.
The reality suggests Celtic will likely need to depend on goals from other areas of the team, as demonstrated by Oxlade-Chamberlain's crucial contribution. The former England midfielder provided a bright spark during the first half, although questions remain about his fitness levels as he faded from the game before being replaced by Luke McCowan in the second period.
Statistical Reality Highlights Scoring Issues
Remarkably, Swedish midfielder Benjamin Nygren remains the only Celtic player to have reached double figures this season with nineteen goals. South Korean winger Yang Hyun-jun follows with nine, leaving O'Neill with little choice but to rely on these two players to underpin Celtic's firepower during the crucial weeks ahead.
The manager will also be anxiously monitoring captain Callum McGregor's condition after he started Saturday's game despite an unspecified fitness issue and required replacement by Reo Hatate midway through the second half. McGregor's influence and experience could prove invaluable as Celtic approach next Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren at Hampden, followed by the post-split Premiership fixtures.
Vulnerabilities Replace Old Certainties
With three of their final five league games at home, including matches against title rivals Hearts and Rangers, Celtic would normally be strongly fancied to complete the job. However, this is a team whose vulnerabilities have replaced the certainties that surrounded them in recent seasons.
St Mirren, who fielded the outstanding player in 18-year-old Manchester United loanee Jacob Devaney on Saturday, will certainly approach the cup semi-final without trepidation next week. This Celtic side appears to have lost the fear factor that once defined their dominance in Scottish football.
