Celtic, one of Scotland's most successful football clubs, have recently drawn criticism over their performance in high-pressure matches. Managed by Martin O'Neill, the team suffered a 3-0 defeat to their rivals Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox Stadium. A rematch between the two teams is scheduled for Sunday in the Scottish Premiership. Before that, Celtic will face Ferencvaros of Hungary in their Europa League group stage opener at Celtic Park on Thursday, 16 September. Fans are concerned about the team's ability to perform consistently in crucial games, especially after a recent loss and a collapse in a Champions League play-off against Austrian side LASK. O'Neill has defended his team, pointing out that he is rarely questioned about his selection when the team is winning. He noted that Celtic had a successful 2023-24 season, securing both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup titles. However, some fans and pundits, including former player Chris Sutton, have raised concerns about the team's current performance and whether the right players are being chosen for key matches. Celtic's recent success has included a 13-game unbeaten run in the Premiership, but many of these victories have been narrow, with four of the six wins coming by a single goal. The club invested heavily in the summer transfer market, signing players like Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, and Haissem Hassan, but these signings have not yet led to consistent results. Sutton criticized the team for being "flat-track bullies," winning comfortably against weaker opponents but struggling against stronger teams. Defensively, Celtic have faced significant pressure this season, conceding 64 shots in the Premiership so far—on par with Hearts and more than Rangers. This number already accounts for nearly a quarter of the total shots faced in the 2024-25 league-winning campaign under former manager Brendan Rodgers. Despite this, the team has improved on their goal concession rate from last season. The upcoming matches against Rangers and Ferencvaros are vital for Celtic, with a win over Rangers potentially giving them an eight-point lead in the league. The next few days could determine the direction of the team under O'Neill, though it remains unclear if these results will address the concerns of fans and critics.