Celtic’s Three-Week Reset Could Change Everything

For the first time in weeks, I watched Celtic on Sunday and recognised the team I have been desperate to see.

Not simply because we beat Motherwell 2-0, but because of the manner of the performance. The movement, the energy, the urgency and, perhaps most importantly, the confidence.

There was a purpose about Celtic that had been missing for far too long.

And it raises an interesting question. Have those three weeks away from competitive football finally given Martin O’Neill the opportunity to put things right?

The Warning Signs Were There

Let’s not pretend Celtic’s problems appeared overnight.

The warning signs were evident well before those three consecutive defeats. The performances had been deteriorating, the tempo was disappearing, and the football was becoming increasingly predictable.

I felt we were watching a team slowly losing its identity.

Something had to change.

That is why the international break was so important. Celtic needed more than rest. They needed an honest examination of what had gone wrong.

Liam Scales has spoken about the players reviewing footage and revisiting the principles of their game.

That matters.

Sometimes improvement doesn’t require another expensive signing. Sometimes it requires players understanding their responsibilities, trusting their teammates and returning to the fundamentals.

Celtic Have More Quality Than We’ve Seen

Look at the individual performances against Motherwell.

Kieran Tierney looked like the player we know he can be. His energy, attacking instincts and willingness to get forward were tremendous. Having finally had time to recover properly from a lingering problem, he looked rejuvenated.

Colby Donovan was outstanding. Mikael Baur looked confident, composed and technically impressive.

And Callum McGregor?

How refreshing was it to see our captain driving forward rather than constantly recycling possession?

That is the McGregor Celtic need.

Camilo Durán scored another excellent goal, while Benjamin Nygren continued demonstrating his valuable instinct for finding the net.

Then there was Haissem Hassan, whose introduction brought another dimension to Celtic’s attack.

And, of course, Jota.

Seeing him back on the pitch was wonderful. His return offers Celtic something that has been desperately missing: imagination, unpredictability and genuine excitement.

The System Must Bring Out Their Best

I’ve argued repeatedly that Celtic possess good footballers.

Sunday reinforced that belief.

The problem hasn’t simply been personnel. It has been finding the correct formation, establishing partnerships and maintaining the intensity required to make those players effective.

When Celtic move the ball quickly, commit players forward and play with conviction, they become a completely different proposition.

We saw that at Fir Park.

But the challenge now is consistency.

Benfica And Hearts Will Tell Us More

We shouldn’t get carried away after one victory. Motherwell were struggling themselves, and considerably tougher examinations are approaching.

Benfica in Lisbon will test Celtic’s organisation, concentration and ability to compete at European level.

Then Hearts will ask another set of questions domestically.

Those two matches should tell us whether Sunday was simply an encouraging afternoon or the beginning of something much more significant.

I genuinely hope it’s the latter.

Because for all the criticism, all the frustration and all the legitimate questions surrounding Celtic this season, there is still a talented squad here.

The players haven’t suddenly become good footballers overnight.

They were always there.

Perhaps the difference is that Celtic are finally beginning to play like a team again.

And if that continues, these three weeks could prove to be the turning point of our season.