{"id":185294,"date":"2025-10-08T11:01:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T11:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/185294\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T11:01:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T11:01:15","slug":"michael-stewarts-blunt-but-accurate-evaluation-of-celtics-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/185294\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Stewart\u2019s blunt but accurate evaluation of Celtic\u2019s problems"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\tMichael Stewart delivered a blunt evaluation of Celtic\u2019s underperforming start to the season, attributing the Hoops\u2019 on-field difficulties to the club\u2019s inability to strengthen the squad effectively during the summer transfer window\u2026\"CelticCeltic line-up prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025\/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

He believes that although the abysmal summer window has undoubtedly played a significant part, several of Celtic\u2019s experienced players have also fallen short of expectations.<\/p>\n

During an appearance on the Premier Sports Scottish Football Social Club show<\/a>, Stewart suggested that Celtic\u2019s problems extend beyond individual displays, pointing to a dip in confidence and unity that began when key departures weren\u2019t properly addressed.<\/p>\n

Stewart said: \u201cIt\u2019s a multitude of reasons and it all goes back to the summer window. When you\u2019re in a changing room and you know you need strengthened, and you\u2019ve got your bigger players moving on and not replaced, that creates negativity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you have the civil war \u2014 the manager and the statements going back and forward \u2014 these things have clearly had an impact on the atmosphere and synergy. It\u2019s not there off the park and it\u2019s impacted on the park.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The former Hibs and Hearts midfielder added: \u201cLook at the team as a whole. Schmeichel is looking a year older, Alistair Johnston is out injured. Cameron Carter-Vickers has been okay. Liam Scales, you\u2019re still thinking they need to strengthen there. Kieran Tierney is still working his way back in. Callum McGregor is needing some help in the middle of the park. Hatate looks like the edge is out of his game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KasperKasper Schmeichel arrives at Celtic Park ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025\/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cNygren is a good signing, but he\u2019s not intense \u2014 he has the quality. And then you come to the front line \u2014 the front line has been the major issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe players that were already there were looking like they needed a fresh injection of new blood to get them going again \u2014 and it\u2019s not happened,\u201d Stewart continued.<\/p>\n

\"CameronCameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia \u2013 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock<\/p>\n

\u201cThe front line has been decimated, and Iheanacho looks like he\u2019ll be a good signing but he\u2019s still not fully fit and he\u2019s really their only option.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stewart\u2019s comments reflect most Celtic fans\u2019 thoughts around the current situation on the pitch. A squad that has major problems from goalkeeper to forward line that was not addressed adequately in the summer.<\/p>\n

\"CelticCeltic captain Callum McGregor looks frustrated at full-time. Final score Celtic 0 Hibernian 0. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Can the manager do better with the players at his disposal? Most definitely. However, he was not helped at all in the transfer market. Five of the 11 signings don\u2019t make matchday squads, and the team is shockingly considerably weaker than what Celtic finished with at Hampden against Aberdeen last season.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the board not only undermined the manager but deliberately weakened the team as a result. They should be continually held to account, and going by the meeting on Monday night with supporters groups, they are not taking any responsibility for it.<\/p>\n

Conor Spence<\/p>\n

\"CelticCeltic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie \u2013 Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star<\/p>\n

Danny McGrain has signed the remaining batch of David Potter\u2019s outstanding final book Celtic in the Eighties so hurry to get your signed copy!<\/p>\n

Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com\/shop<\/a> and we\u2019ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny PLUS you\u2019ll also receive a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.<\/p>\n

\"DannyDanny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books<\/p>\n

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Also postage will only be charged on ONE book, not per item so if you are in Britain or the six counties you will pay \u00a324.50 for both books \u2013 one side by Danny McGrain and that includes the postage costs for speedy delivery. As always the books are hardback and are of the highest quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO ORDER\u2026\"Celtic<\/a>Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order. <\/p>\n

\t\tMore Stories \/ Latest News<\/p>\n

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