Match Pictures | Matches: 2025 – 2026
Trivia
- KO: 17:30, Saturday; Premier Sports TV
- Scottish Cup fifth round
- Debut for Mvuka & Aduma. Junior Aduma scores on his debut. Various players left out of squad like Engels & Meada.
- Siracchi arrives back after long injury spell.
- 1-1 at FT, 2-1 after extra time.
- Celtic save it at the death of normal time.
- Celtic fans complain that around three key incidents were officiated against the club. Celtic were denied a clear penalty in their Scottish Cup victory over Dundee, according to former referee Keith Hackett, who called for head of Scottish officiating Willie Collum to review the decision.
- Boycott: The Celtic Collective an umbrella group of Celtic fans has formally called on rank and file supporters to boycott this game. Has created some friction even within the support. 24,120 attendance
- O’Neill called for unity between Celtic supporters and the club’s hierarchy amid the latest boycott plans.
- The postponement of midweek game v Aberdeen has left Celtic with a major fixture headache at the turn of the month
- Celtic drawn with Sevco in the next round of the Scottish Cup.
- Interim Celtic chairman Brian Wilson says he has reached out to supporters’ clubs and urged fans to show unity for the team. “I spoke [in a previous interview] about unity and I spoke specifically about unity within the stadium,” said Wilson on CelticTV. “I don’t expect the issues to go away suddenly but what I did ask for was to get unity behind the team. Let’s sort these issues. I am in no way dismissing them or marginalising them. We want to engage with them. But short term it is imperative to support the team and it’s up to each individual to make a decision on whether a boycott insider or outside of the stadium helps that.”
- Celtic sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a free agent
- Reports:
- Celtic are moving closer to an agreement with former England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after fresh discussions between the two sides. negotiations to bring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Celtic have been held up, with the player’s representatives keen on an option beyond the end of this season. Celtic will reconsider a move for former Chelsea and AC Milan midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko if a deal for fellow free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain collapses.
- Martin O’Neill “wasn’t totally convinced” by Celtic’s transfer business under now-departed head of football operations Paul Tisdale.
- Hatate offered to Brazilian side by agent.
- Ex-Celt Calvin Miller almost came back at last minute to Celtic, but deal fell through.
- Celtic reportedly offered pre-contract deal to Xaver Schlager. The 28-year-old midfielder is set to leave RB Leipzig at the end of the season.
Summary
“It’s amazing. I feel really happy and I’m so glad to help the team. I came here to work and improve and my mentality is to never stop and keep going.”
Junior Adamu
DoctorRamesh of KDS:
At the end of the day it was a drama filled cup tie which we won with 2 fine goals (Dundee’s goal was a cracker as well). We are still all over the place but fighting on. I felt for Forrest. He’s a legend but I’ve never seen him play so poorly. Time has caught up with him. Araujo defends well, his general play is good but I find his unwillingness to cross frustrating and worrying. Tierney was have a decent game, getting stuck in and trying to make things happen. I hope he’s ok. Saracchi, fantastic! Trusty, whilst not perfect nor playing on his natural side is becoming a leader in the team. That’s good, we need them. Cvancara got no service but should have been awarded a penalty. Adamu, great debut goal! Tounekti, he has it in him and he’s been getting better in flashes but today was a real top performance. I hope he builds on this. If MON and Co can retrieve anything from this ridiculous season it will an incredible achievement. Oh, I forgot Mvuka made his debut. He seemed a bit lost.
LittleGMBhoy of KDS:
Dundee played well. Energy everywhere and were very unlucky. Their “leaving the boot in” though cost them. If they had not flattened KT there would have been a straight 5 minutes extra. Ref had a shocker also. He gets it from certain folk on here and I have posted before but Steven Pressley is one of the good guys in life. I had one or two nights out with him 15 years or so ago. He is pally (not very closely) with my cousin. Nice man. I think last night post match summed him up. Where other Scottish managers would have went on one he never. BBC Scotland (enough said) reporter (you can see it in their website) baiting him “any quibbles” about the extra 2 mins added. Rather than do Celtic in he was complimentary of the clubs (never say die until the end) and was more interested in his own team. I thought it was good to hear as per other idiot managers pile in on us and the club.
jimmy_mac of KDS:
We have been and were last night, a malfunctioning disjointed team. Progressing the ball from the defence to the attack didn’t work smoothly and Dundee, just like Falkirk and many other clubs of late. made it difficult to pass through or around them. I thought we started really brightly and thought we would win comfortably but as our tempo slowed we allowed Dundee to get into position and I don’t think we created much. It was strange as weren’t controlling the game like we did under Rodgers and the issue then was that we were just toothless, it was passing for passings sake and the directness from MONs earlier spell this season wasn’t there either. I think Bawman made a remark about the lack of identity to our play and that’s the best way to sum it up. Its no surprise as the team was knocked so low under Nancy and it will take time. Its good to win though whilst not playing well. I thought it was a mistake playing Yang wide left and then a mistake not to swap him back to the side he was most comfortable playing. Hatate was just a mistake and I was surprised he stayed on as long as he did. On the positive, our starting FBs were our best threat and best players, and Saracchi coming on gave us something different. He could overlap like Tierney but was comfortable coming inside. No disrespect to Tierney as he had a good game. Tounekti took time to get into the game but was the major difference. Up until that point our play was too passive and he was the only player who attempted to do something different. His first assist and then a great goal. Hopefully not a flash in the pan. Loved the late equaliser and scoring early in ET. Pressley was right to bat away the reporters question, very diplomatic and for all the hun lurkers out there, see when a potential red card incident happens on 90 minutes and a player goes down injured and then taken off, the ref adds those minutes. And the goal was scored just before the 97th minute, so only one minute over the advertised minimum added time and given Tierney was down for longer plus the sub, well you do the maths.
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Martin O’Neill
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
Starting lineup
12, V. Sinisalo
63, K. Tierney, subbed for M. Saracchi at 91 mins
05, L. Scales 101′ ET, Yellow Card at 101 mins extra time
06, A. Trusty
22, J. Araujo 66′, Yellow Card at 66 mins, subbed for C. Donovan at 105 mins
41, R. Hatate, subbed for L. McCowan at 70 mins
42, C. McGregor (c), Captain
28, Paulo Bernardo, subbed for B. Nygren at 46 mins
32, J. Mvuka, subbed for J. Forrest at 46 mins
11, T. Čvančara, subbed for J. Adamu at 79 mins
13, Yang Hyun-Jun, subbed for S. Tounekti at 70 mins
Subs:
09, J. Adamu
51, C. Donovan 120′-1, Yellow Card at 120 mins plus 1
31, R. Doohan
49, J. Forrest 120′-2, Yellow Card at 120 mins plus 2
14, L. McCowan
47, D. Murray
08, B. Nygren
36, M. Saracchi
23, S. Tounekti
Goals:
J. Adamu (90′-7)
S. Tounekti (92′ ET)
Assists:
S. Tounekti (90′-7), L. McCowan (92′ ET)
Dundee
Manager: Steven Pressley
Formation: 4 – 1 – 4 – 1
Starting lineup
01, J. McCracken
07, D. Wright 90′-8, Yellow Card at 90 mins plus 8, subbed for C. Reilly at 93 mins
22, L. Graham, subbed for E. Ingram at 109 mins
04, R. Astley
16, B. Halliday
48, E. Hamilton
17, T. Yogane, subbed for F. Robertson at 80 mins
24, J. Cotterill, subbed for C. Jones at 71 mins
21, Y. Dhanda 45′, Yellow Card at 45 mins, subbed for J. Bevan at 105 mins
20, C. Congreve 90′, Yellow Card at 90 mins, subbed for I. Samuels at 93 mins
15, S. Murray (c), Captain68′, Yellow Card at 68 mins, subbed for S. Wright at 71 mins
Subs:
27, J. Bevan
08, P. Digby
12, I. Samuels
02, E. Ingram
28, C. Jones
13, K. O’Hara
18, C. Reilly
10, F. Robertson
25, S. Wright
Goals:
E. Hamilton (49′)
Assists:
Referee: Ryan Lee
Assistant Referee 1: David McGeachie
Assistant Referee 2: Douglas Ross
Fourth Official: David Dickinson
Att: 24,120
Venue:Celtic Park
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Basic Stats
Overall possession
Celtic 51%
Dundee 49%
Shots
Celtic 23
Dundee 9
Shots on target
Celtic 8
Dundee 2
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 1
Dundee 6
Fouls committed
Celtic 18
Dundee 15
Corners
Celtic 11
Dundee 5
In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Celtic 23
Dundee 9
Shots on target
Celtic 8
Dundee 2
Shots off target
Celtic 10
Dundee 5
Defence
Fouls committed
Celtic 18
Dundee 15
Total yellow cards
Celtic 4
Dundee 4
Articles
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cdre8d3m26jt#Report
Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland
Celtic “have found a resilience and a will to keep going”, said manager Martin O’Neill after their dramatic Scottish Cup win over Dundee.
Ethan Hamilton’s outstanding strike early in the second half stunned Celtic Park, the midfielder lashing a shot past Viljami Sinisalo.
Debutant Adamu’s backheel finish from fellow substitute Sebastian Tounekti’s low cross in the seventh minute of stoppage time forced extra time, and Tounekti put Celtic in front just after the restart.
“The players found it, the players found the inspiration, the drive, the determination to go and actually just play to the very, very final whistle,” said O’Neill.
“The players have found a resilience and a will to keep going.”
After new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was introduced to the home fans prior to kick-off, Celtic’s Reo Hatate and Kieran Tierney tested Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken from long range and Ryan Astley should have given the visitors the lead at a corner.
Luke Graham headed towards goal and Astley tried to convert but his unconvincing nod was flicked out by defender Julian Araujo.
VAR ruled Graham’s push on the back of Tomas Cvancara to have started outside the Dundee box, hence a free-kick rather than a penalty was awarded.
After Hamilton struck from the inside right channel, Yang Hyun-jun touched wide for Celtic and Tierney’s drive was well saved by McCracken.
Tony Yogane had an excellent chance to wrap up victory for Dundee, his shot coming off a team-mate before Celtic were able to tidy up.
Five minutes were added at the end of the 90 but a head knock to Tierney lengthened that as Celtic went right to the end to get their leveller and maintained that intensity in extra time, showing the resolve typical of O’Neill’s first spell as Celtic boss.
Analysis: Empty seats & high drama at Celtic Park
Celtic Park had noticeable gaps of empty seats, with some supporter groups having planned a boycott in protest against the board’s stewardship of the club in recent times.
O’Neill had been encouraged by the prospect of talks between fans and the club, while he spoke immediately before the match about a need to freshen his team up.
He made five changes to the starting XI and six substitutions during regulation time.
It took until Tounekti’s 70th-minute arrival for Celtic to really find their stride and on-loan Freiburg forward Adamu’s goal was one of the few occasions the hosts threatened in the six-yard box.
Tounekti’s winner, a low finish after a one-two with sub Luke McCowan, deflated Dundee and they scarcely looked likely to get the equaliser that would have resulted in penalties.
That said, Steven Pressley’s side did little wrong until Adamu’s goal and will count themselves unfortunate to be out of the cup after such a sizeable effort.
For O’Neill, a three-pronged focus remains with defending champions Celtic chasing leaders Hearts in pursuit of the Premiership title and a Europa League tie with Stuttgart on the horizon as well as continued involvement in the Scottish Cup, a trophy the veteran boss won three times between 2001 and 2005.
What they said
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill: “I was thinking that we were out of the competition. Seb Tounekti’s introduction helped changed things. Seb came on and gave us a brightness, he gave us something to go at, which was great and he helped make the goal. The recruit [Junior Adamu] scores a goal for us.
“In the first half of extra time, we scored pretty early on and we put ourselves in a great position.”
Dundee manager Steven Pressley: “We gave so much. We left nothing out there. If we’d manage to see out one more attack, I think it would’ve been a very well deserved victory.
“Obviously, there was the five minutes we’d already seen out. We were a minute and a half into further stoppage time and we thought we were there. I thought we’d got there, I really did. I don’t have a quibble, I’m just extremely disappointed.”
Celtic goal heroes give their post-match reaction to cup win
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/february/07/celtic-goal-heroes-give-their-post-match-reaction-to-cup-win/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
Share
07 Feb 2026, 8:45 pm
Junior Adamu enjoyed a dream debut for Celtic, coming off the bench and scoring a last-gasp equaliser to put Celtic’s Scottish Cup tie into extra-time.
That goal was set up by Sebastian Tounekti, who then scored the all-important winner early in the first period of extra-time.
And both players spoke to Celtic TV after the 2-1 victory over Dundee.
Junior Adamu, who replaced Tomas Cvancara in the 79 minute, produced a cool flick to steer the ball into the net for his first goal as a Celt, and it was the perfect way to kick off his Celtic career.
He said: “It’s amazing. I feel really happy and I’m so glad to help the team. I came here to work and improve and my mentality is to never stop and keep going.”
And Sebastian Tounekti, who came on with 20 minutes of the regulation 90 remaining, had a big impact on the eventual outcome of the tie, with an assist and the winning goal.
The Tunisian internationalist said: ““It’s an amazing feeling. Maybe the game wasn’t the best for us but we kept on going, we kept on fighting and I’m just glad that I could help the team to win today.
“I haven’t maybe scored a lot or made a lot of assists, but I want to help the team with that because I am that player who can do that so hopefully it will be the start of many.
“We’re improving every day and we just have to keep going because we want to win every game and we want win every competition we’re in.”
Celtic progress in Scottish Cup with extra-time victory over Dundee
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/february/07/celtic-progress-in-scottish-cup-with-extra-time-victory-over-dundee/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
Share
07 Feb 2026, 8:13 pm
Scottish Cup fifth round
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Celtic Park, Glasgow
CELTIC…2
(Adamu 90, Tounekti 92)
DUNDEE…1
(Hamilton 49)
(after extra-time)
Celtic progressed to the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Dundee at Celtic Park.
The Hoops were just seconds from elimination when Junior Adamu popped up with an equaliser on his debut with almost the last touch of the 90 minutes.
And then Sebastian Tounekti provided the all-important winner for Martin O’Neill’s side early in the first-half of extra-time.
Celtic started on the front foot in the match, taking the game to their opponents, and Reo Hatate had an effort in the eighth minute from outside the area that went wide of the target.
And four minutes later, Dundee goalkeeper, Jon McCracken did well to save another Hatate effort which was on target.
Dundee were trying to cause problems on the break and Simon Murray had a header from inside the area which went wide.
Kieran Tierney was next to try his luck with a shot from inside the area, but McCracken dealt with it well, while at the other end Viljami Sinisalo had to be alert to save a Luke Graham header.
Tomas Cvancara got on the end of a couple of Tierney crosses into the box, but wasn’t able to test the keeper, and it was goal-less at the break.
51%
Possession
49%
23
Shots
9
8
Shots On Target
2
11
Corners
5
18
Fouls
15
4
0
Cards
4
0
The second half saw Benjamin Nygren and James Forrest replace Paolo Bernardo and Joel Mvuka, but it was the visitors who grabbed the first goal of the game.
Ethan Hamilton latched on to the ball 25 yards from goal and strode inside before smashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the Celtic net.
Celtic pushed forward in search of an equaliser and Yang came close with a shot, but Dundee were defending resolutely while continuing to look dangerous on the break.
Kieran Tierney had an effort saved just after the hour mark, while both Callum McGregor and Tomas Cvancara had shots blocked by the Dundee defence.
Celtic continued to push forward but just when it looked as though Dundee would deliver a Scottish Cup upset, Martin O’Neill’s side grabbed an equaliser.
Sebastian Tounekti drove a low ball into a packed penalty area and Junior Adamu, on as a substitute, flicked the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1 with what was almost the last kick of the 90 minutes
And Tounekti, having provided an assist, then put Celtic ahead in the second minute of extra-time, cutting in from the left and driving a low shot beyond McCracken and into the Dundee net.
Having got the lead, the Hoops pushed forward in search of another goal, and top goalscorer Benjamin Nygren came close after being set up by Luke McCowan, but his effort was saved by the foot of McCracken.
It was a more nervy second period of extra-time, although Celtic still looked the more likely to score again, but there was to be no further scoring and the Hoops progressed to the last eight of the competition.
Celtic: Sinisalo, Araujo (Donovan 105′), Trusty, Scales, Tierney (Saracchi 91′), Paulo Bernardo (Nygren 45′), McGregor, Hatate (McCowan 70′), Hyunjun Yang (Tounekti 70′), Čvančara (Adamu 79′), Mvuka (Forrest 45′)
Subs: Nygren, Adamu, McCowan, Tounekti, Doohan, Saracchi, Murray, Forrest, Donovan
Dundee: McCracken, Halliday, Astley, Graham (Ingram 109′), Wright (Reilly 93′), Hamilton, Congreve (Samuels 93′), Dhanda (Bevan 105′), Cotterill (Jones 71′), Yogane (Finlay Robertson 80′), Murray (Wright 71′)
Subs: Ingram, Digby, Finlay Robertson, Samuels, O’Hara, Reilly, Wright, Bevan, Jones
Manager: Players showed drive and determination to beat Dundee
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/february/07/manager–players-showed-drive-and-determination-to-beat-dundee/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
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07 Feb 2026, 9:09 pm
It was another dramatic game at Celtic Park as Martin O’Neill’s side clinched their place in the last eight of the Scottish Cup with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Dundee courtesy of Junior Adamu and Sebastian Tounekti.
The Hoops showed their resilience on never giving up until the final whistle, with Adamu scoring an equaliser with the last kick of the 90 minutes, and Sebastian Tounekti netting the winner early in extra-time.
And the Celtic manager praised his squad for getting the job done. Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, he said: “I’m naturally delighted that we’re through and that we’re in the hat for the next round.
“I thought the team showed a drive and a determination to eke out an equaliser when all seemed lost, and it was great win in the manner in which we did.
“We got that late, late goal and then we scored almost immediately in extra-time. We saw it through in the end and the players deserve enormous credit for digging that out.”
And commenting on Junior Adamu’s debut goal, just a few days after arriving at the club, the Celtic manager added: “It was great for him and I’m delighted because the players have come here.
“They’re into a different environment, a different set of players and they have to try and get to know them very quickly, and so well done him for getting it.”
Celtic cruelly spear Dundee dreams – with fans so close to witnessing once-in-lifetime moment
Alan Pattullo
By Alan Pattullo
Chief Football Writer
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-cruelly-spear-dundee-dreams-with-fans-so-close-to-witnessing-once-in-lifetime-moment-5507490
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Published 7th Feb 2026, 22:25 GMT
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Celtic 2-1 Dundee – Alan Pattullo reports from Celtic Park
Pressley’s men were on cusp of famous win after wonder goal – but it wasn’t to be
Seconds away from history. Seconds away from going down in the annals. Dundee have never beaten Celtic in the Scottish Cup at Parkhead. They have only ever won twice against them in the competition, the most recent time being in 1947.
They got a holiday in Pitlochry for that. We will never know what they might have been rewarded with here. Leading from the 49th minute until the 95th minute after Ethan Hamilton’s wonder goal four minutes after half time, they had more than one foot in the last eight.
Celtic pulled them back by the scruff of their neck in the most heart-breaking way imaginable for their fans, who were set to witness something none of their forebears, not even in the club’s glory days, had witnessed before. All the pre-match talk had been about new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was introduced to those home supporters who had ignored calls to boycott before kick-off.
Luke Graham (left) and Ethan Hamilton trudge off after Dundee’s defeat by Celtic.
Luke Graham (left) and Ethan Hamilton trudge off after Dundee’s defeat by Celtic. | SNS Group
But while his arrival was enthusiastically greeted, it was Junior Adamu, signed on loan from SC Freiburg, who earned the headlines with a dream debut after he back-heeled in the equaliser with the last kick of regulation time. The vocal visiting supporters might scoff at the notion of regulation time. Five minutes added time had been displayed after Kieran Tierney was felled in a collision with Cameron Congreve in the 90th minute. Celtic then needed every last second – and more – of it to preserve their Scottish Cup ambitions.
Referee Ryan Lee had looked at his wristwatch more than once as substitute Sebastian Tounekti advanced down the left. Dundee gave him far too much space. Right back Brad Halliday, previously excellent, made a fatally half-hearted attempt at a challenge, allowing the winger to send in a cross which Adamu converted with some nifty footwork.
How late it was, how late. And if you were Dundee, how deflating. Any hope they might be able to lift themselves back off the canvas was extinguished two minutes into the first period of extra time, when Tounekti played a one-two with fellow replacement Marcelo Saracchi – they were 13 substitutes used in total, with Celtic granted a concussion sub for Tierney – and drove into the net past Jon McCracken.
It was a strange game after that given the high-octane fare of before. The energy went out of Dundee’s play, understandably, but they did conjure one last chance in the final seconds that was sclaffed over by Hamilton, the tie’s outstanding performer, following a half-cleared corner.
Dundee get a deserved ovation
The players were given an ovation at the end from their supporters, rightly so. What a shift they put in on a night when something special seemed possible from early on. A Tomas Cvancara flick gave Joel Mvuka, another new Celtic signing, something to chase but McCracken was already on his way out of his box to clear. Good goalkeeping. It was an early illustration of Dundee’s mindset. They were equal to most things Celtic were trying. Cutbacks into the penalty area from ether flank invariably found a visiting player in the right place at the right time to intercept.
When that wasn’t the case, the quality of ball let down the hosts down. A Yang Hyun-jun cross was just too far in front of Mvuka. Dundee were not simply content to sit back and seek to smother Celtic pressure. A Luke Graham effort following Cameron Congreve’s corner was scrambled past the upright by Celtic just after the half hour mark. Drey Wright, meanwhile, blazed over after Yan Dhanda’s header was cleared.
The Dundee fans were enjoying what they were seeing from their team who were being true to Steven Pressley’s word. The manager had stressed pre-match they would aim to ‘get at’ Celtic. Dundee had held the upper hand in the meetings so far this season, winning the first league meeting 2-0 at Dens and losing only 1-0 on their previous Parkhead visit.
It was 3-1 to Dundee on aggregate four minutes after half time after one of the goals of this or any season. O’Neill made two changes at half-time in a bid to liven his side up – Benjamin Nygren came on for Paulo Bernardo while James Forrest replaced Mvuka, who found the going difficult on his debut.
But these additions had barely had time to break sweat before Congreve was teasing Liam Scales while advancing down the right flank. When the winger slipped and the ball ran loose, Hamilton was onto it in a flash. He drove away from Callum McGregor and struck a left-footed shot from just outside the box that was always bending away from Viljami Sinisalo into the side-netting of the goal. It was a goal fit to win any game. Just not this one, agonisingly for Dundee fans.
O’Neill calls for ‘middle ground’ amid Celtic boycott plans
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2gw1zk84eo
Celtic fan banner at ParkheadImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Celtic fans continue to protest against the club’s board at matches
Published
5 February 2026
Updated 6 February 2026
Manager Martin O’Neill described the prospect of meetings between the Celtic board and supporters’ groups as “a big step forward” and hopes a “middle ground” can be found to end the acrimony around the club.
With some fans planning to boycott Saturday’s Scottish Cup match against Dundee, interim chairman Brian Wilson called for “unity behind the team” and revealed plans for talks “within the next week or so”.
O’Neill would like those discussions to take place before the first leg of the Europa League play-off at home to Stuttgart on 19 February.
“There has to be a middle ground somewhere along the way,” he said.
“Let’s find out what the ailments are and see if we can rectify them because, going forward, the club will trip itself up.”
Referring to negativity from the stands and “things being shouted across the pitch”, O’Neill said: “Eventually it’s debilitating and it does effect people.
“Celtic have always prided themselves in a togetherness and it is strange for it to be in this shape.”
Sections of the support remain unhappy with the board following what they perceived as another underwhelming transfer window, while the Celtic hierarchy has been criticised for a lack of engagement.
“I don’t expect suddenly all the issues to go away,” Wilson told Celtic TV on Thursday. “What I’ve asked for, and what I think the great majority of Celtic supporters want to see, is unity behind the team.
“Let’s sort out these other issues – and in no way am I dismissing them or marginalising them. Short term, it’s imperative to support the team.
“It’s up to each individual to decide whether a boycott inside the stadium or outside the stadium helps that. That’s for people to judge.”
Having recently replaced Peter Lawwell – who stood down as Celtic chairman at the end of December, citing “abuse and threats” – Wilson accepts “there hasn’t been as much engagement [with the fans] as I would’ve liked” in the past month.
Wilson says that has mainly been down to the transfer window being the priority, while he also praised O’Neill, assistant coach Shaun Maloney and the Celtic players for pulling themselves back into Scottish Premiership title contention.
Celtic’s winter window was disrupted by the sackings of manager Wilfried Nancy and head of football operations Paul Tisdale in early January.
The club recruited five players, all of which were loans, and rejected a bid of up to £25m from Nottingham Forest for midfielder Arne Engels.
They are also on the brink of a short-term deal for former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
After a “turbulent” month, Wilson says the club have “reached out to every supporters’ group” and he is hopeful meetings can take place “within the next week or so”.
“Let’s see if we can go forward,” he added. “There’s no reluctance on my part to engage and I hope that can be put into practice soon.”
Celtic chief sends message to mutinous supporters and uses story of four fans as example
By Mark Atkinson
Sports Editor
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-chief-sends-message-to-mutinous-supporters-and-uses-story-of-four-fans-as-example-5505439Published 5th Feb 2026, 19:57 GMT
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Interim chairman pleads for whole stadium to get behind team
Interim Celtic chairman Brian Wilson says he has reached out to supporters’ clubs and urged fans to show unity for the team.
Wilson made the plea via an interview via the club’s own media channels ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup last-16 tie against Dundee, with thousands of supporters set to boycott the match in protest against the board, the running of the club and lack of communication from the very top.
Wilson took over from Peter Lawwell at the end of last year and says plans are afoot to speak to all of Celtic’s fan groups in the coming weeks. He said that those inside Parkhead need to get behind the team ahead of the season’s finale, with the club still fighting on three fronts – the Premiership, Scottish Cup and Europa League.
“I spoke [in a previous interview] about unity and I spoke specifically about unity within the stadium,” said Wilson on CelticTV. “I don’t expect the issues to go away suddenly but what I did ask for was to get unity behind the team.
“Let’s sort these issues. I am in no way dismissing them or marginalising them. We want to engage with them. But short term it is imperative to support the team and it’s up to each individual to make a decision on whether a boycott insider or outside of the stadium helps that.
“What I can say is that I do accept there hasn’t been enough engagement as I would have liked over the past month for a range of reasons, but mainly because of the focus of the transfer window. “What I can say is that we have reached out to all fan groups and we hope these meetings will take place over the next week.
“There is no reluctance on my part to engage and I hope that can be put that into practise soon. Unity in the ground is one thing. We won’t agree on everything to do with these issues but we can talk about them.
“But don’t let it distract from what’s going on inside the stadium. That’s all I’m asking for. What I want to see is a full Celtic Park with a great atmosphere and everyone getting behind the team.”
How to find common ground at Celtic
When asked by interviewer Gerry McCulloch if Celtic can find common ground and get back to having a full stadium, Wilson continued: “Let me tell you a wee story. I was in the centre of Glasgow last night. I bumped into four young guys who I guess would have been at the weekend standing up saying they hated the board.
“They recognised me. We had a good conversation. I explained some of our difficulties in addressing these issues. They listened. They put their point of view. At the end of the day, they said, ‘thanks for listening’, and I said, ‘thanks for talking to me’.
“I think if I could do that with every Celtic supporter inside the ground, we’d reach the same mutually respectful conclusion. That’s not quite possible, but it’s the kind of model I want to see. We focus a lot on particular groups of supporters, but there’s tens of thousands of Celtic supporters inside the ground.
“As I expressed, many of them feel the same frustrations about communication, about having an input to the club, about knowing what’s going on. The thing that comes up repeatedly is, we want to know what’s going on. That’s the channel I really want to develop over the next few weeks.
“Of course, deal with each individual group, but also deal with the broad mass of Celtic supporters and give them what they are totally reasonably asking for, which is information, understanding, and seeing a route back to where we should be, which is a full stadium, all behind the team. That’s all I want. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”