{"id":460395,"date":"2026-03-06T08:39:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T08:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/460395\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T08:39:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T08:39:13","slug":"stephen-mcgowan-raises-struggling-celtic-concern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/460395\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen McGowan Raises \u2018Struggling\u2019 Celtic Concern"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stephen McGowan believes Celtic are still alive in the title race, but the way they are getting their results has exposed a clear issue in attack.<\/p>\n

McGowan speaking about Martin O\u2019Neill\u2019s side after another tense run of games where points have been collected without convincing performances. Celtic have remained close enough to keep chasing, yet matches often swing late and the forward line has struggled to take control.<\/p>\n

\"\"4th March 2026; Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Aberdeen versus Celtic; Callum McGregor<\/a> of Celtic raises a fist to the Celtic fans<\/p>\n

That pattern was visible again during the win over Aberdeen. Celtic moved the ball well through midfield and created spells of pressure, but the cutting edge came from deeper areas of the pitch rather than from the striker.<\/p>\n

Benjamin Nygren has become the player arriving with the goals.<\/a> The midfielder continues to appear in key moments around the box, finding space when the ball breaks loose or when attacks reach their final phase. His finishing has helped Celtic recover points in matches where the attack otherwise looked blunt.<\/p>\n

McGowan pointed to that shift when discussing Celtic\u2019s current run. In his view the team have stayed competitive largely because Nygren keeps delivering goals when the forward line fails to take charge of games.<\/p>\n

He said: (BBC Scottish Football Podcast<\/a>), \u201cCeltic stay in the title race for now.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are relying big time on the goals of Benjamin Nygren.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not really sure if he\u2019s a number eight or a number 10\u2026 but he scores big goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are struggling up front.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those comments match what has been happening on the pitch in recent weeks. Celtic often build attacks through midfield with calm possession and quick switches into the wide areas. The problem comes once the ball reaches the penalty box.<\/p>\n

Crosses arrive without a clear target. Cut-backs fall to players arriving from deeper positions. That has created space for Nygren to step forward and finish moves.<\/p>\n

\"\"4th March 2026; Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Aberdeen versus Celtic; Benjamin Nygren of Celtic shoots and scores in the 67th minute to make it 2-1 to Celtic<\/p>\n

Midfield goals help any team. Yet when they become the main source of scoring, it usually points to a forward line still searching for goals desperately.<\/a><\/p>\n

Celtic\u2019s upcoming games will test that balance. If the strikers begin turning possession into chances again, the attack becomes far more difficult to defend. Until then, the pressure will continue to fall on Nygren to keep finding those decisive goals.<\/p>\n


\n \"Tees
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