Celtic Fans Won’t Believe McInnes’ Excuses After NINE Signings – ‘Square Pegs’ Claim Is Laughable

Four competitive games. Nine summer signings. No victories.

Yet Derek McInnes is already talking about “square pegs and round holes” at the Ibrox club.

For Celtic supporters who watched their side battle through a horrendous injury situation last season, the excuses are becoming difficult to take seriously.

Following the Europa League exit against Jagiellonia Białystok, McInnes attempted to explain another dreadful display.

“There was a wee bit of square pegs and round holes again on Thursday night.”

Again?

McInnes has barely got his feet under the manager’s desk.

More importantly, nine new players have already arrived this summer. Six of those signings started against Hibs, with another introduced from the bench.

McInnes excuses look ridiculous beside Celtic injury crisis

McInnes continued:

“No natural left back to play. No left-sided centre-backs so we lacked that natural flow.”

Injuries undoubtedly make management more difficult. Celtic know that better than most.

Jota effectively lost the entire 2025/26 campaign following his cruciate ligament injury and subsequent setback. His absence eventually stretched to around 16 months.

Cameron Carter-Vickers underwent a lengthy rehabilitation from an Achilles injury. Alistair Johnston also endured significant injury problems.

Indeed, Martin O’Neill pointed out last season that he had barely been able to use Jota, Carter-Vickers or Johnston during his spells in charge.

Celtic adapted because they had no other choice.

That’s football.

McInnes, however, has reached four competitive matches and already has injuries, fitness, balance and players supposedly being used out of position on his list of explanations.

Nine signings – yet McInnes still wants “help”

Then came perhaps the most extraordinary comment.

“What we could do is just a wee bit of help.”

Help?

After nine summer signings, apparently the answer is even more players.

McInnes recently warned that the Ibrox club were “playing with fire” because of their shortage of defensive options. Now, following four games without victory, the recruitment demands continue.

Yet McInnes also insisted:

“Nobody is sitting here and asking for understanding and patience.”

Perhaps not explicitly.

Everything surrounding that statement, however, sounds suspiciously like a request for exactly that.

Players aren’t fully fit. Injuries are causing problems. The squad lacks balance. Youngsters lack experience. There are square pegs in round holes. More quality is required.

The excuses are beginning to require their own team sheet.

Even McInnes’ attempt to cling to the “wee moments” from his opening four matches sounds increasingly desperate.

Celtic supporters know championships aren’t won with “wee moments”.

Results decide them.

The Ibrox club have already fallen five points behind Celtic in the Premiership and have been dumped out of the Europa League.

Nine players have arrived, yet McInnes still wants help.

Perhaps the problem isn’t the shape of the pegs.

Perhaps it’s what McInnes is doing with them.