Celtic are making life seriously difficult for themselves this season.
You just wonder if it wasn’t for Martin O’Neill, where Celtic would be, because you sense they would have suffered more defeats without his magic.
On Saturday evening, Celtic needed extra time to beat Dundee in the Scottish Cup, but it was an ugly win, as 67 Hail Hail analysed five things we learned from that frustrating tie.
How on earth do you begin to describe that…!
Julian Araujo is showing promise
Celtic signed Julian Araujo under Wilfried Nancy, and he has shown a lot of promise during his time in Glasgow, including the work on the right flank against Dundee.
As of now, Araujo is on loan from Bournemouth, but if he continues in his current form, Celtic fans will be calling for his deal to be made permanent in the summer.
When Alistair Johnston returns to fitness, would you pick him over Julian Araujo?
Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Contrasting nights for Joel Mvuka and Junior Adamu
Celtic’s deadline day signings took to the field against Dundee, and they experienced contrasting feelings and emotions.
O’Neill opted to start Joel Mvuka on the right flank, but he was subbed off for James Forrest at half-time. You have to feel for him because, during Mvuka’s 45 minutes on the pitch, Celtic were very poor, and he couldn’t showcase any moment of magic to spark his debut into life.
But what Mvuka couldn’t do, Junior Adamu provided to an elated Celtic Park crowd. It was Adamu’s brilliant flick in stoppage time that resulted in the game going into extra time, and Celtic winning it from there.
Sebastian Tounekti stands tall
Sebastian Tounekti has showcased strong ball-carrying ability since joining Celtic in the summer, but at times, you want that end product.
Well, Tounekti provided that against Dundee because it was his run and cross into the box that allowed Adamu to score in the 96th minute, before he turned it on at the start of extra time to fire the Hoops ahead and into the next round of the Scottish Cup.
More of that, and the Tunisian star will become a very good starting player for the champions of Scotland.
Kieran Tierney is getting stronger
Not many Celtic players can hold their heads up high for how they performed against Dundee, but Kieran Tierney is perhaps one of them.
Celtic’s returning left-back is getting stronger and stronger from a physical standpoint, and it’s showcasing in his performances.
The only problem is that he is playing alongside so much rubbish that it’s not rewarding what Tierney is producing on the left flank.
Kieran Tierney has been one of Celtic’s best players this season…
Agree or disagree?
Credit: Getty Images/Ian MacNicol 
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesReo Hatate’s time at Celtic is at an end
Arne Engels was absent from Celtic’s matchday squad against Dundee, whilst Benjamin Nygren was benched, so it meant Reo Hatate came back into the XI.
And to be honest, he shouldn’t have bothered.
Don’t get it twisted, Hatate has been an outstanding player for Celtic after Ange Postecoglou brought him to the club, but his time is at an end.
The Japan star is no longer the player who shone in the Champions League last season. He doesn’t affect the game. And the quicker he is sold in the summer, the better for all parties.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox