What to expect from Martin O’Neill’s Celtic

Martin O’Neill will take charge of Celtic tonight after the shock ‘resignation’ of Brendan Rodgers, with Shaun Maloney assisting the former Celtic Icon.

Martin is taking charge of the side on an interim basis, and might not want to tinker too much with the side, but after a run of poor results and performances, we might see a few changes of personnel and tactical adjustments.

3-5-2 was the Irishman’s favoured formation during his successful spell with the club at the start of the century, but football has changed dramatically since then, but his philosophy and approach to the game is bound to be the same, albeit with a slight tweak on the tactical side of things.

Martin liked his side to have great physique, something that is short in abundance in the current side, and with CCV sidelined, we might see a starting slot for Auston Trusty alongside Liam Scales to give the defence an experienced and more solid look, likewise a place for Tony Ralston or even Marcelo Saracchi at right back, with KT out on the left, and Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks as usual.

Martin also loved his midfield to be solid and compact, something that ours sadly lacks, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he handed a rare start to Paulo Bernardo who could sit alongside Arne Engels leaving Callum McGregor in a more advanced role.

With Daizen Maeda unlikely to be back this evening the central forward role will undoubtedly go to the Japanese striker Shin Yamada, especially with Kelechi Iheanacho now injured.

Supplying Shin will most likely be the creative Sebastian Tounekti on the left, and the industrious ultra experienced James Forrest on the right.

That’s a side full of experience with some youthful flair, a very Martin O’Neill looking side.

We shouldn’t expect a flawless performance, but what we will see is a side more compact and confident than we’ve seen in recent weeks, you can be assured of that.

Celtic will get the ball forward much faster and there will be much more urgency, something that the support can assist in.

Hopefully this is the start of something. Let’s win this Celtic and enjoy our night!