Celtic have lost four of their last five matches. O'Neill urges focus on positives

Martin O'Neill is urging Celtic to focus on the positives from their recent 4-1 loss to Benfica as they prepare to face Hearts on Sunday. Despite the heavy defeat, O'Neill expressed satisfaction with his team's second-half performance, suggesting it demonstrates their potential to progress in the Europa League. However, the defeat leaves Celtic without any points from their opening two group-stage fixtures and raises concerns about their recent form, having lost four of their last five matches across all competitions.

The loss to Benfica has intensified scrutiny on O'Neill's future at Celtic Park. Just weeks ago, he hinted at contemplating his position following consecutive defeats to Rangers and a disappointing start in the Europa League. With pressure mounting, O'Neill must deliver results, particularly in the upcoming match against Hearts, who finished as runners-up last season. The stakes are high as he seeks to restore confidence among fans and players alike.

O'Neill praised his team's resilience in the second half against Benfica, stating they created numerous chances and could have scored more. However, critics point to the team's poor first-half performance, where they struggled to compete and conceded three early goals. The disparity in performance raises questions about the team's consistency and ability to compete at a high level, particularly in crucial matches.

Fan reactions have been mixed, with some supporting O'Neill's positive outlook while others express frustration over the team's lack of competitiveness. Tino Callaghan from the Celtic Exchange Podcast highlighted the need for improvement, noting that Celtic's performance in the first half was particularly concerning. As O'Neill prepares for the must-win clash against Hearts, he faces the challenge of turning around the team's fortunes and addressing the growing discontent among supporters.

via Sky Sports