Major Celtic B team conundrum as Frank McAvennie miles offside – hot take round up on 3 burning Parkhead issues

Celtic face Europa League pressure against Besiktas while dealing with off-field issues including Frank McAvennie's controversial comments on Auston Trusty's compassionate leave.

Celtic continue to navigate multiple challenges on and off the pitch. The club's board held a supporters roadshow in Greenock on Monday, part of efforts to improve communication with fans, though some argue a wider public engagement strategy would be more effective. Chief executive Michael Nicholson fielded questions from around 120 supporters, but critics suggest the club needs to engage with mainstream media and take tougher questioning to rebuild trust.

Former striker Frank McAvennie drew significant backlash for comments about defender Auston Trusty's absence on compassionate leave following his father's death. McAvennie questioned how long Trusty would be away, suggesting the player should prioritise football over grief. The remarks sparked widespread criticism, with many pointing out that Trusty, just 26 and thousands of miles from family, deserves support during a difficult time.

On the pitch, Celtic's B team squad for the KDM Evolution Trophy trip to Ross County included Chelsea youngsters Shim Mheuka and Landon Emenalo, plus £3.4m signing Jason van den Berg, all seeking game time ahead of potential senior involvement. Manager Martin O'Neill travelled to oversee the development squad as the club seeks momentum ahead of a crucial Europa League clash with Besiktas.