What changed
Celtic have lost six of their past 10 matches in all competitions, with defeats by Falkirk and dropped points against Dundee United sharpening doubts about Martin O’Neill’s side.
The Falkirk loss was especially stark: Celtic had 24 shots, nine on target, more than twice the possession and 14 corners. Falkirk had six shots, two on target and no corners, yet won 2-1.
Why it matters
The numbers suggest control without enough clarity. Celtic had the ball, territory and chances, but Falkirk found the decisive moments. That is why Chris Sutton, Ian McCall and Kris Boyd have questioned the team’s structure, age profile and direction.
The wider danger is pressure. Celtic remain four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but Rangers could close the gap with a game in hand after winning their League Cup semi-final. Hearts could also move closer.
Europe offers no easy reset. Celtic face Besiktas next in the Europa League after three opening defeats, making victory important for their hopes of progressing. O’Neill has pointed out that Celtic are better placed than they were at the same stage last season, when they were four points behind Hearts. That is a useful fact, but it does not erase the more immediate problem: a team can lead the table and still look short of a convincing plan.
Whether this is sustained regression remains unconfirmed. Injuries, age and the workload on key players may be contributing, but the next results will decide whether this is a poor run or a deeper change in Celtic’s level.
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