Martin O'Neill rejects Jekyll and Hyde tag as Celtic stumble in Europe

When Celta Vigo defender Javi Rodriguez struck his second goal of the evening, the ball curled past the Celtic goalkeeper and sealed a 2‑0 home defeat for the Parkhead side. The strike left Celtic without a win in their three‑match Europa League group and intensified calls that they are a Jekyll and Hyde outfit.

European campaign in tatters

Thursday’s loss followed a collapse away to LASK in the Champions League play‑off, meaning Celtic have now lost all three of their continental fixtures. The club sit 35th in the 36‑team group, with only FC Ararat‑Armenia below them.

Domestic dominance contrasts

Domestically, Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership, having suffered just one reverse in nine league games – a home defeat to Rangers. The stark contrast between domestic consistency and European failure has fuelled the Jekyll and Hyde narrative.

The piece, authored by JOHN MCGARRY, a SCOTTISH CHIEF SPORTS FEATURE WRITER, appeared on 23 October 2026. When asked whether he subscribed to the view that his side were a Jekyll and Hyde team, Martin O’Neill replied, “I don’t think it is.” He added that recent wins for Benfica and LASK illustrate the reasonable opposition Celtic face.

O’Neill stressed that Europe is a step up, noting that Celta Vigo compete in the Spanish top division and field experienced players such as Iago Aspas alongside younger talent. “They are decent, but I believed they were beatable the other night,” he said, expressing disappointment at the missed opportunity.

Looking ahead, Celtic’s European schedule includes a home tie with Besiktas, trips to Portuguese side Torreense and Omonia before Christmas, and a concluding group phase with a home match against Marseille and an away game with Union SG in January. O’Neill warned that the side will likely need ten points from those five fixtures to stay in contention.

He remained optimistic, recalling last season’s comeback against Midtjylland after being physically outclassed. “You can learn a lot from the European games,” O’Neill said, adding that the experience should spur the squad to improve.

Domestic focus returns

On the domestic front, Celtic travel to Easter Road on Sunday after rebounding with a 7‑1 demolition of Hearts. O’Neill urged his players to abandon excuses, insisting, “That’s how the club is built – you need to be competing.”

While forward Jota was omitted from the European squad, he will be available for the Hibs clash. Defenders Cameron Carter‑Vickers and Alistair Johnston are being assessed after hamstring setbacks, and Yang Hyun‑jun could return in the coming weeks. Auston Trusty remains absent following the death of his father, with O’Neill saying the club will give him time.

Despite the European setbacks, O’Neill believes Celtic can still qualify. “Celtic will be back,” he stressed, acknowledging that each missed point makes the path harder but insisting the season is not over.