Celtic’s suicidal team selection ensured last night’s game was over before a ball was kicked

It’s a strange feeling to sit down before a game involving Celtic, and to know it’s over before a ball is even kicked.

In all the years I’ve been supporting Celtic, I don’t think I’ve ever gone into a game with such apathy, such hopelessness.

I think what was worse was that it didn’t really bother me all that much.

When you get to the point where you’re past caring about European games, then the board, and Martin O’Neill have succeeded in their attempts to get you to believe we’re incapable of mounting a challenge in this arena.

Because let’s face it, we are incapable of it.

And there has been so much dumbing down done since the LASK debacle, we’re all just acceptant of this fact now.

On Monday night on the Trinity Tims, I said if Dane Murray was in the starting line up, we would be in serious trouble.

I wonder how I can see that, but the manager can’t?

When I saw the starting line up last night, I knew the game was over for Celtic before a ball was kicked

The team selection was suicidal.

The fact that Dane Murray actually conceded a penalty in the first 3 minutes put the tin hat on it.

Well, maybe it didn’t quite, but Martin O’Neill saying he was delighted with the second half definitely did.

What’s the point in that?

Genuinely?

What is the point in saying you were delighted with the second half, when you set us up to fail in the first?

The game was over at half time.

Another 26 goal attempts conceded in a game.

This coaching team is learning nothing.

The same mistakes are being made over and over again.

Look, we all knew that Celtic weren’t going to win this game

That was a given.

But the fact that Martin O’Neill didn’t give us the best fighting chance by putting out a starting line up that wasn’t set up to fail ensured we had no chance whatsoever.

The ironic thing about it is that the changes in the second half brought us back into the game.

If we had nothing to lose in this game, why didn’t we start with Osmand, Duran and Hassan as our front three?

Why didn’t we start with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield?

We know what Tounekti is capable of, or incapable of to be more precise.

Sinisalo has continuously regressed since LASK.

After last night, this is going to be a long, long season.

Forget about the Europa League.

That’s a foregone conclusion.

Teams will continue to tear us apart in this competition.

Martin O’Neill’s inexplicable team selections will continue to ensure more damning results throughout the remainder of the season.

He is now very much in danger of heading the way Neil Lennon did during the Covid season

Look, I know Benfica are imperious at home in the Europa League.

I know that the odds were stacked against us anyway before a ball was kicked.

But it was the predictability of the capitulation last night that was so hard to swallow.

Knowing that Dane Murray was going to be bomb scare before the game, and then seeing that played out in real time in the third minute.

Knowing that starting a player like Sorensen over Oxlade-Chamberlain would achieve nothing.

Then seeing that it did exactly that.

Knowing that Tounekti is utterly ineffective, yet persisting with him.

He was all at sea for Benfica’s second goal, ball watching as it floated over him onto the boot of Alexander Bah.

As for the third goal?

For Sinisalo to concede at the near post in the way which he did?

That was unforgivable.

If I’m being honest, everything about last night was unforgiveable.

The fact that we were incapable of even being in contention was unforgiveable.

I put up the below post on X yesterday, and the reaction to it pretty much sums up where we are right now.

When Desmond does eventually go, whether through the laws of nature or as the result of a takeover, the destruction of our reputation in Europe will be his ultimate legacy. Not the trophies. Not the money. The fact that a club which once made the continent’s biggest names nervous now makes them smile politely and pick up three points. Enjoy this evening, Marco and Benfica. Cheers Dermot!

— Read Celtic and The Trinity Tims (@ReadCeltic) October 15, 2026

I think it’s fair to say that’s a pretty accurate assumption.

Last night just puts another notch in the destruction of our reputation in Europe under the Dermot Desmond regime.

And it certainly won’t be the last notch, that’s for sure.

I never thought I’d be saying this, but Martin O’Neill is becoming a liablility

With each passing game like last night’s, it’s becoming clearer he should have walked away after the Scottish Cup final.

Desmond’s hold over him is going to destroy his legend at Celtic.

The fact that Desmond is going to allow that to happen shows you what a ruthless bastard he is.

He is no Celtic supporter.

He is now not only destroying our club, he is also destroying the people who once made it great.

If Martin O’Neill doesn’t know by now that he’s in the wrong movie, then I guess that’s on him.

How much more he wants to damage his reputation is up to him too.

Next up is Hearts.

Let’s hope that doesn’t end up a humiliation too.

Dark days ahead folks.

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