Martin O’Neill slammed as Celtic star turns into ‘a silent headache’
Martin O’Neill’s actions in charge of Celtic have not been as universally popular as they initially seemed.
The 73-year-old returned to Parkhead to take interim charge until the end of the season after Wilfried Nancy was sacked at the start of August, in what proved to be a popular move among the fans.
O’Neill pushed Celtic to strengthen their squad in the recent transfer window, and they eventually secured five new additions before also acquiring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a free agent last week.
The veteran boss has united the fanbase and dragged the team back into contention for the Premiership title, but it has now become clear that he has had a negative effect in the eyes of some of late.
Marcelo Saracchi loan provides a problem for Boca Juniors
Celtic fans have raved about Marcelo Saracchi when he has been given the chance to play so far this term.
However those opportunities have been few and far between for the Boca Juniors loanee, as injuries have limited him to just eight appearances in the league all season.
Celtic have the left-back on a loan deal until the end of the season, but O’Neill has played him just once since his return to the dugout, and that came in the form of a 30-minute cameo during the Scottish Cup win over Dundee.
The lack of football that Saracchi is receiving at Celtic Park is now causing “a silent headache” for Boca Juniors, according to Bolavip.
The 27-year-old was brought in by Brendan Rodgers at the start of the campaign, and O’Neill has now been accused of “marginalising” Saracchi’s involvement in the squad in the eyes of his parent club.
The Argentine giants had intended for the defender to boost his value in Scotland with a veiw to a sale in the summer, but that certainly isn’t happening so far.
Saracchi is under contract with Boca until the summer of 2027, and eats up a valuable international place when it comes to squad registration, which is prompting the headache over his future.
Saracchi won’t make another league appearance for Celtic
O’Neill has favoured to start Kieran Tierney on the left side of his defence since his return to take charge in January, as he relied heavily upon experience this season.
The likes of Tierney and Liam Scales have been trusted to provide know-how and awareness on the pitch for some of the less experienced players, and it is a formula that has worked for O’Neill so far.
With that in mind, it feels highly unlikely at the moment that Saracchi will get a look in when it comes to league action between now and the end of the season.
Every game carries huge importance for Celtic at the moment as they continue to fight for the league title, and the boss will be hugely reluctant to turn towards a player that he hasn’t necessarily trusted so far.
Boca Juniors may be getting frustrated at O’Neill’s management of the loanee, but they will have to come to terms with it, as it would be a huge surprise if anything changes.