O'Neill agrees with McGregor about Celtic issues

O'Neill backed McGregor's assessment that Celtic lack control in games, citing strikers deployed as wingers and new players needing time to gel.

Manager Martin O'Neill publicly endorsed captain Callum McGregor's recent criticism of Celtic's performance issues following their 2-2 draw with Dundee United. McGregor had described some moments as "a bit basketball" due to the team's loss of usual control, and noted that playing centre forwards like Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran as wingers may be contributing to the problem during a run of three wins in nine games.

O'Neill said he was in "total agreement" with McGregor's diagnosis. He explained that Osmand is "essentially a centre forward" who would benefit from playing alongside another strong striker rather than leading the line alone, and that Duran is also naturally a centre forward. The manager attributed the issues to players getting to know each other and several arrivals missing pre-season.

Despite the concerns, Celtic maintain a four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership ahead of Sunday's match against Falkirk. O'Neill insisted the group will improve as players get up to speed over the winter, saying "we're doing fine" and "we need to hang in there."