Scott Allan reckons Celtic’s major weakness exposed by three defeats

Former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan has highlighted a major flow in the current Celtic side, and one he believes is a factor behind the clubs recent woes on the park…

Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC is challenged by Luca Lipani of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between Torino FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Celtic failed to land long term target Gvidas Gineitis after a flurry of low ball bids, but did sign Mika Baur and Oliver Sorensen, both talented players, but not the powerful and physical presences that we require in the middle of the park.

Nemanja Gudelj of Ajax is chased by Scott Allan of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Celtic FC and AFC Ajax at Celtic Park on November 26, 2015. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

That according to Allan is the reason that Celtic are suffering in the ‘bigger’ games, and highlighted the capitulation in Linz, and the recent defeats by the Rangers as examples of that weakness.

Auston Trusty of Celtic reacts after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 Play off round second leg match between LASK and Celtic at on August 25, 2026 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

Scott Allan told Daily Record: “The first win was a real statement from Rangers and gave them belief that, physically, they have got Celtic’s number. LASK did as well. I think Celtic are really struggling in the middle of the park. Ultimately, you can’t make yourself bigger or stronger.

“So when you know that somebody is physically better than you, then what you do on the ball has to be so much better. You have to have a way of playing through that aggression and that pressure.”

Martin O’Neill arrives at the stadium. Celtic v Rangers. Scottish Premiership. 20 September 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

On returning upon the international break, the Hoops will face a tough run of fixtures, both domestically and in Europe, in particular away clashes at Motherwell, Benfica, and Hibs, so Martin O’Neill will be hoping to fix that problem in a bid to stop it being brutally exposed once again.

Allan was also critical of the way Celtic approached the home loss to the Rangers.

Ryan Naderi of the Rangers celebrates scoring the only goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and the Rangers at Celtic Park on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

He said: “To turn up in the second game and go away from everything you identify with Celtic – 4-3-3, ball to the wingers and looking to go and create – and look to go more direct against a Rangers 3-5-2, was telling. And yet to no avail… no performance and no result.”

Of course it’s tough to have to agree with everything that the former Celtic midfielder has had to say about Celtic’s current situation, particularly when Martin O’Neill was very public in his wish this summer to bring Gvidas Gineitis to the club.

Why was Gineitis not signed?

Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC in action during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Torino FC at Gewiss Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Answer that question and you’ll discover the cause of the current Celtic crisis.

Brian Wilson, Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson overseeing 2 x £40m Champions League misses…

And Allan’s criticism of the bizarre and ill-considered tactical approach in the recent Glasgow Derby is spot on too. It was embarrassing to watch.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

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