What is there to say after Sunday's chaos and a goal-laden extra time win? It was like a view of the whole season in a couple of hours. In the end, there is a Scottish Cup Final to look forward to, but it may be another tough one to watch when it comes.
Celtic made a bright start to Sunday's semi-final. Crisp passing, plenty of pressing, and a trademark goal from Daizen Maeda. The player was back to his best and deserved his man of the match award. O’Neill will be keeping him on his teamsheets. And also Hyeun-jun Yang, who did well too.
The manager will already be puzzling over how his Celtic side can go from a high level of control in the match to grimly trying to hang on in the end. To then rise triumphantly in an extra-time goal flurry. Sunday wasn't the first occasion for a roller coaster performance; I doubt it’ll be the last this season. A 2-0 lead is not enough these days.
Are there learnings for O’Neill among the Celtic chaos?
O’Neill’s second-half substitutions didn't seem to work. Arne Engels and Callum McGregor were replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Luke McCowan. A big change for the midfield, to be fair, perhaps triggered by trying to manage injuries and recovery for both departing players. Neither McCowan nor the Ox made an impact. Neither of the two could make a decent pass, and the Celtic midfield was being overrun.
On the other hand, Kelechi Iheanacho, Marcelo Sarrachi, and James Forrest, who all arrived as subs in the second half, were significant in the eventual win and four goals in that first half of extra time. As was McCowan eventually with a well-taken goal. It did seem odd that Reo Hatate wasn't used, but it worked out OK in the end. It seems as though O'Neill knows his own mind, but can't be sure what he’ll get from his players on a game-to-game basis.
Iheanacho certainly silenced his critics. Two great goals. Plenty of super hold-up play. He helped the frontline connect better. He has to be used more, and O’Neill may be blessed with his availability for the run-in, along with young Callum Osmand returning to give the forward line a much-needed boost.
The real issue at Celtic remains clear
O’Neill may not have learned much he didn't already know from the game. Injuries haven’t helped his team selections or need to make substitutions. But then, the inconsistency of individual players and the team as a whole has been there for most of the season. His main learning is having to make the best of what he has available; he’ll be getting used to that.
Celtic though might just be getting close to a more settled line-up if recoveries go to plan and injuries are avoided. That stability and a bit more quality in depth may be just what's needed. It also means O’Neill can avoid having to rely on the forwards signed in January. A sad indictment of another failed transfer window. That’s where the real issue and learning lies. But will anything happen? The jury is out, and the fans remain unconvinced.
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