Celtic currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership and have ground to make up on both Hearts and Rangers as the season gathers pace. With the title race already tightening, the Hoops are back in league action on Wednesday night.
Martin O’Neill’s side welcome Livingston to Parkhead after edging past Dundee in the Scottish Cup at the weekend. A 2-1 victory secured their progress, with new arrival Junior Adamu marking his debut with a crucial goal before Sebastian Tounekti struck in extra time.
Ben Foster revises Celtic verdict
Former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster recently sparked debate after suggesting on his Fozcast podcast that Celtic would struggle badly if they were dropped into the English Championship. The ex Manchester United shot stopper claimed the Scottish champions would even face relegation, arguing that allowing Celtic and Rangers into the English pyramid would never happen because of the damage it would cause to Scottish football and the added competition it would bring to English clubs.
Foster has since softened that stance while speaking on talkSPORT. He clarified that relegation might be a step too far, but still questioned whether either Glasgow club would be strong enough to push for promotion. In his view, Celtic and Rangers would be competitive but not among the sides fighting their way into the Premier League.
Alan Brazil challenged that assessment, pointing to teams such as Millwall and Wrexham and questioning whether the Old Firm would really fall short against that level of opposition.
What lies ahead for Celtic under O’Neill
Celtic know they must start closing the gap on Hearts and Rangers if they are to remain firmly in the title conversation. A home match against Livingston presents a good chance to pick up momentum and restore some consistency in the league.
Beyond the immediate fixtures, the club also faces an important call on the managerial front. O’Neill has returned to steady the ship following Wilfried Nancy’s troubled spell, but his role is widely viewed as a short term solution. The direction Celtic choose next will be crucial to their long term plans.
Reflecting on the win over Dundee, O’Neill praised his side’s resilience. He said he was delighted to progress and highlighted the determination shown to force an equaliser when defeat looked likely. The late goals, he added, were a reward for persistence and commitment.
He also singled out Adamu for special praise, noting how challenging it can be for new signings to adapt quickly. The debut strike, in his view, was a deserved moment for a player still finding his feet in a new environment.