After the defeat by Dundee United, Kris Boyd has slammed two Celtic players who he believes have been “bad” this season.
O’Neill: Celtic must “reinvent themselves” after another defeat
When it looks like they will continue chasing Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership, the defeat hit Celtic again at the worst time on Sunday.
Now, with seven games to go, their title ambitions are dwindling in second place and Martin O’Neill has urged his side to “reorganize themselves” if they are to make a shock comeback.
The Celtic manager told the media: “I have to admit, I don’t think there ever was (a hacking room). But today is a distraction. I don’t think it’s the end of it. I still think it’s there. But maybe you’re right, I think we’re going to have to win seven games.
“It’s really disappointing. So, yes, we have to come back and try to find strength about ourselves and rebuild our character.
“I’m going to look at the game. I’m going to look at myself – which is, I think, as important as the players looking at themselves – and see what I could have done. Some of you will say I could have done more, actually, at the end of the day, after the second half.”
Where the blame lies is the big question. It has been a difficult season for everyone involved at Celtic Park, starting with recruitment and the hiring of managers.
Celtic must sell the Hoops star who was worse than Hatate vs Dundee United
Celtic must sell this player who was worse than Reo Hatate in their defeat to Dundee United on Sunday.
The fact that O’Neill was forced to return for the second time this season following Wilfried Nancy’s historic misbehavior sums it up.
Then there is the matter of Celtic’s recruitment. Outside of Benjamin Nygren, it’s hard to pinpoint a true standout signee and Boyd alluded to that on Sunday.
Boyd hits Celtic’s “terrible” flops
Boyd did not ignore the aftermath of the Dundee United defeat, criticizing Celtic’s Joel Mvuka and Michel Ange-Balikwisha as part of a scathing review of the Boyz’s recruitment.
“They ate the money. They ate the players who play on the sides. They were just not good. I mean the others… Where are they? Where are you?
“It’s a good job they didn’t spend money, because other players didn’t come in… Look at this boy who came to Ibrox, (Joel) Mvuka. They wanted to spend £4/5million on him? Wow.
“Maybe they’re lucky he failed a medical and was only on loan. If they did it again they’d pay £4/5million… Celtic spent money but it was a bad signing.”
Although his criticism was harsh, it is hard to argue with it. Mvuka has not even appeared in the Scottish Premiership, while Balikwisha has not scored a single goal in 14 games despite being in the headlines before he arrived.
Big questions must be asked of those making the decisions at Parkhead and they must avoid a repeat this summer. With Hearts on their way to the top and Rangers improving under Danny Rohl, Celtic are in danger of falling far behind their rivals.
