The end of 4-3-3 after Linz red flag ignored by Celtic’s management staff

Martin O’Neill explains his decision to start with Sam Johnstone and Sebastian Tounekti while also praising Colby Donovan…

13th September 2026; Ibrox. Scottish League Cup Football, Rangers versus Celtic; Rangers players applaud their fans as the scoreboard reads Rangers 3 Celtic 0. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Martin O’Neill yesterday afternoon explained his decision to start with Sam Johnstone ahead of Viljami Sinisalo as well as selecting Sebastian Tounekti at the expense of the impressive Haissem Hassan. Neither player covered themselves in glory during a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Ibrox that saw Celtic exit the second competition of the season.

13th September 2026; Ibrox. Scottish League Cup, Rangers versus Celtic; Rangers manager Derek McInnes and Celtic manager Martin ONeill shake hands after the final whistle. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The warning signs were there in Linz as Celtic surrendered a 4-0 advantage to ship five goals to LASK and exit the Champions League. Now it’s a 3-0 defeat at Ibrox as Celtic dropped out of the Premier Sports Cup at the quarter final stages with Martin O’Neill and his coaching staff being outthought by Derek McInnes.

Although it was expected that Sam Johnstone would start after his impressive debut against St Johnstone in midweek, the decision to start Tunisian international Tounekti had Celtic supporters shaking their heads in disbelief.

The Irishman explained his reasoning in his post match interview.

Asked why he picked Johnstone over regular keeper Viljami Sinisalo after just one match with the club, Martin replied: “I want people to experience these games, because what other way am I going to learn about what people can or cannot do? The main objective is obviously to try and win, and it’s a fine balancing act from me.”

13th September 2026; Ibrox, Scottish League Cup Football, Rangers versus Celtic; Rangers and Celtic players react on the pitch. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Not many Celtic fans were buying that and it’s probably more accurate to suggest that the manager was thinking back to that awful night in Austria and reckoned that Sinisalo was at fault for a couple of the goals conceded.

It’s true that the Finland international didn’t have the best of night but the fault was hardly his and the tactical lessons have not been learned by Shaun Maloney and his boss Martin O’Neill.

13th September 2026; Ibrox, Scottish League Cup, Rangers versus Celtic; Sam Johnstone of Celtic checks his gloves after Dan Neil of Rangers shoots and scores in the 75th minute to make it 3-0 to Rangers. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Celtic could and should have signed an experienced goalkeeper in the summer to replace the loss of Kasper Schmeichel. They did not despite multiple quality options being linked and others suggested by Celtic fan media sites like Celtic Shorts.

Instead we brought in a keeper on loan from relegated Wolves who could get a game for the English side. Yesterday we say exactly why.

Talking of fan media sites, did we not push for a 3-5-2 formation for Ibrox in the build-up to the game. We could see the problems with the Celtic midfield and unfortunately so could McInnes and he rightly deserves the plaudits he is getting for outfoxing Martin O’Neill yesterday in what was a painful watch for the Celtic support, including those who would otherwise have been at the game.

13th September 2026; Ibrox; Scottish League Cup Football, Rangers versus Celtic; Haissem Hassan of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Sebastien Tounekti was preferred over Haissem Hassan on the left wing after the Egyptian developed an issue overnight. “Young Hassan had an overnight problem, and he didn’t get much sleep in all honesty,”explained O’Neill at his post-match media conference, “so it was just a matter of not starting him because of that. That’s the reason, really.”

Martin O’Neill did try to find a positive in the performance of 20-year-old right-back Colby Donovan, who was booked in the first half and was tested defensively by Rangers’ frontline.

13th September 2026; Ibrox. Scottish League Cup Football, Rangers versus Celtic; Emmanuel Fernandez of Rangers and Colby Donovan of Celtic challenge for the ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“I think young Colby has come out of this with great credit,” said O’Neill. “I think he’s an absolute warrior.

“Sometimes he misplace passes, but he’s got a big heart. I think we can all learn from that. And because of the size of his heart, he was booked in the first half, but he kept going right to the end.

“He was booked against St Mirren after about eight or nine minutes, still kept going. In terms of heart and desire, he’s been a big plus for us.”

Donovan was perhaps the ONLY Celtic player to merit a passmark yesterday, as for the rest it was a disgraceful performance, not helped by a formation that can be easily exploited ands to change.

13th September 2026; Ibrox. Scottish League Cup, Rangers versus Celtic; Colby Donovan of Celtic challenges Djeidi Gassama of Rangers. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

If Celtic go with the same formation and midfield three on Thursday night in the Europa League opener against Ferencváros and again against the Rangers on Sunday then we have good reason to be fearful.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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