Martin O’Neill expressed cautious satisfaction after Celtic’s 1-0 victory over St Johnstone on September 9, 2026, at McDiarmid Park. Despite securing three points in the Scottish Premiership match, O’Neill criticized his team’s inability to convert scoring opportunities.
Mika Baur’s goal in the 52nd minute proved to be the difference, but O’Neill felt Celtic should have scored more. “A win is a win but I'm not sure what to make of it, really. It's difficult to score goals, but we made it look almost impossible,” he stated via Clyde SSB. He added, “We could have scored a number of goals and we didn't. It was crazy really. I thought someone would take responsibility and put it into the net.”
The Celtic manager attributed some of the offensive struggles to the absence of top scorer Camilo Duran from the starting lineup. Duran was rested ahead of a busy schedule including a derby doubleheader and a European clash with Ferencvaros. “Duran didn't start for us and he's been class,” O’Neill explained. “He looked tired in the game against St Mirren… I wanted to try and see if we could do without him, and the answer is probably not!”
O’Neill jokingly suggested he could have contributed to the scoring himself, stating, “I said to the boys in the dressing-room afterwards, 'I'm 74 and I think I could have scored a goal there.' Perhaps that's a major exaggeration but we are still well short.” He emphasized the need for players to create space and finish chances. He also praised debutant goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, whose save at 0-0 was crucial, noting, “St Johnstone were never out of the game and you have to remember Sam Johnstone had to make a great save at 0-0.”
O’Neill concluded by expressing delight at the win but reiterating the team’s need for improvement.
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