Scottish Premiership title race: Martin O’Neill’s experience won’t be deciding factor after Celtic news latest
The Scottish Premiership title race hangs in the balance. However, the experience in each dugout will not decide the winner.
As the international break comes to an end, Celtic are set to battle Rangers and Heart of Midlothian for the top spot with seven games to spare.
Currently, the Hoops sit third in the table, five points off the summit after their defeat to Dundee United last time out.
However, many have backed Celtic to lift the title due to Martin O’Neill’s experience.
Below, Football Insider has explored why this is simply a baffling take ahead of a crucial period in the title race.
Celtic do not have the quality to get over the line
Experience can be vital in a title race, and it can be the difference between winning and losing the league.
While there is no doubt that O’Neill has some fantastic experience in the Scottish Premiership, the manager can only work with the tools he has.
| Martin O'Neill's Scottish Premiership record since his January return | |
| Games managed | 11 |
| Wins | 7 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Losses | 2 |
It has been shown time and time again this season that the Hoops simply do not have the quality to dominate games anymore, which is resulting in the Old Firm side scrapping late victories.
This has led to numerous points being dropped at vital moments, including recent defeats to Hibernian and Dundee United.
On top of this, experience does not mean everything. Steven Gerrard won the league title back in 2021, with little experience of the division, beating Celtic’s Neil Lennon to the summit.
After this, Ange Postecoglou had no experience of managing in Europe, let alone Scotland, before he won back-to-back titles.
Therefore, while O’Neill’s experience may give him the edge in a game or two, over the last seven matches, it is unlikely to make a difference.
Celtic to move away from experienced managers next season
Former Aberdeen chief Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider that Robbie Keane could become Celtic’s next manager, believing it would be a sensible appointment.
Currently at Hungarian side Ferencvaros, the former Hoops star is only at the start of his managerial career.
Therefore, if Celtic opt to go down this route, they will have one of the least experienced managers in the division, with Keane never managing in the UK before.
However, it remains to be seen if the club would be willing to go down this route, with plenty of other names linked.