Chris Sutton admitted he wouldn’t want Martin O’Neill’s return to Celtic to last so long that it risks tarnishing his legacy…
Celtic endured a tough evening in Denmark on Thursday, falling to a 3-1 defeat against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.
Goals from Martin Erlic, Mikel Gogorza and Franculino sealed another impressive victory for the hosts, keeping their unbeaten run alive and maintaining their position at the top of the 36-team league phase.
Martin O’Neill’s men struggled to cope from the outset, with Midtjylland dominating the early stages and effectively wrapping up the game before the interval.
Reo Hatate converted a late penalty won by substitute Callum Osmand with ten minutes to play, though the goal proved nothing more than a consolation for the Hoops.
The defeat has dampened the growing optimism around the club and is likely to reignite familiar doubts about Celtic’s direction in the aftermath of Brendan Rodgers’ departure last Monday.
Now, after the game, Chris Sutton gave his thoughts about Celtic’s defeat and his former gaffer’s current situation. “Sobering night for Celtic,” he wrote on X. “No great surprise.”
“Midtylland better in every department. Great to see MON [Martin O’Neill] return and the wins against Falkirk and (the)Rangers, but I’d hate to see MON stay on too long and damage his legacy. This isn’t on him at all. New manager needed in place asap.”
The past 10 days have been charged with emotion for everyone connected to the club, from the players and staff to the fans, with Dermot Desmond’s abomination of a statement reflecting that tension rather than any sort of comfort.
Admiration and love for O’Neill came naturally due to his legendary standing at the club, and was reinforced by crucial victories over Falkirk and theRangers.
Yet, a sobering truth remains. This current Celtic squad still falls short on the European stage, and Celtic must focus on strategic, long-term planning, as a club aiming for consistent success and absolutely cannot rely solely on nostalgia and sentiment. Or on that ‘world class’ business model that Dermot Desmond was praising in his recent rant against Brendan Rodgers who had warned anyone who would listen that this was going to happen.
Desmond’s business model as far as European football is concerned has been a shambles from start to finish. Indeed when Martin left Celtic the first time he warned that Celtic were about to live life in the slow lane. Last night he found out first hand just how right he was back in 2005 as we lost to a team with a stadium holding just 12k supporters.
Kilmarnock on Sunday should be O’Neill’s final game as interim boss. The club should be ready to conclude their interviews and like Sutton emphasises, appoint a manager as soon as possible.
Sobering night for Celtic… no great surprise. Midtylland better in every department. Great to see MON return and the wins against Falkirk and Rangers but id hate to see MON stay on too long and damage his legacy. This isn’t on him at all. New manager needed in place asap🍀
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 6, 2025
Check out the comment below Sutton’s assessment on X.
Conor Spence
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It’s only fan sites calling Desmond’s statement a disgrace etc. I loved it & everyone I’ve spoken to backs DD over FRaudgers
Europe is for next season, concentrating on domestic football is paramount this season…..
HH
Even at 0-0 our passing and holding on to ball was poor no one could take in the ball McGregor has yo move into a forward position in midfield yes whole team looked nowhere near the off kenny not a fromt man ive seen it to many times ball is played through to him it always hits his heals or miss controll nyigrin aint a midfielder we need a tackler man that can protect the ball players are disposesed to easy Engels has to belief and fight in posession you dont germt things given to you on a pitch yes a tuff week mentally you play for Celtic we should have players good enough yo vome in and do a job Myttland arent best in eurooe in fact there average but there midfield swept us aside every time we havent got the strong players where we need them infact we look young sters ralston no excuse he has to stop cross then shows player inside where nobody there to cover guy had an open goal to aim at smiychilles no chance third maybe if scales got a booking poor reffering took him out the game had to pull out of every challenge after that playing three times a week hearts two thats because the are not in compition they are getting a lot of praise in truth spl teams are poor worst i have seen for years my own have no fight getting tore in dosent mean go about kicking people it means beat they guy opposing you let him know you are better and stronger yes you are playing for a support than demands you to be stronger if they stick a leg in to knock the ball out our just knock away from you they get cheered by there support you cant afford that your support exoects you to have that ball under controll ride the challenge find a team mate thats what our supporters are used to no use stopping claiming for foul you wont get it have to make it personal only you can to it tesm mates help but they are in there own battle if one player goes in half hearted the fans dont forget that goes for wingers you dont win your 50 50 you let supporters down who hero worshipp you team mates down who might get injured or booked for having to tackle man you shyed away from and offcoarse your self look at forrest great player and servant but will never iydlised by many supporters cause he wont go into a 50 50 he thinks thats a midfeilder or defenders job its not its your tackle no going back players and supporters never forget that one tacle you shit out if even if you score goals that tackle where supporters take it personal inhope players see this and forest admits he vould go back winning fifty fifty even competing for the ball in that moment you have to cause its just that