Martin O'Neill backs Callum McGregor's assessment of Celtic's control problems

Martin O'Neill has backed Callum McGregor's assessment of Celtic's problems controlling matches, acknowledging the captain's concerns about players being used outside their natural positions. According to BBC Sport, the manager said he agreed with McGregor's diagnosis following Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Dundee United, while maintaining that the team would improve as its newer players settled in.

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McGregor raised the issue after a result that left Celtic with three wins from nine games. The 33-year-old described matches becoming too open and suggested that using Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran in wide roles could be contributing to the team's difficulties. His comments focused on the absence of the control Celtic would normally expect to exercise during games.

O'Neill initially said he had not heard McGregor's remarks when asked about them at a press conference. Once the context was explained, he endorsed the captain's view. The manager said Osmand was primarily a centre-forward and suggested he might be best suited to playing alongside a stronger strike partner, rather than being asked to lead the attack alone. He also identified Duran as a centre-forward.

The concerns come despite Celtic holding a four-point advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Their only league defeat has been at home to Rangers, but their European results have been markedly different: three losses from three Europa League games. BBC Sport also reported supporter discontent and a boycott of some matches by the Green Brigade fans group.

McGregor is not the only senior Celtic player to have publicly addressed the team's organisation. Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers had also criticised their unpredictability after the Glasgow derby defeat. O'Neill nevertheless resisted suggestions of division, saying the players were still becoming familiar with one another and that the team was doing enough to maintain its position in the league.

The manager pointed to the timing of arrivals as part of the explanation. Several players joined late and missed pre-season with Celtic, he said. O'Neill expects the group to develop through the winter as those players get up to speed, while emphasising the need to maintain results during that process.