Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has identified structural and mentality issues behind his team's recent worrying performances. The admission follows a 3-0 Premier Sports Cup defeat to Rangers and a heavy aggregate loss to LASK Linz in Europe.

O'Neill described the derby loss at Ibrox as a bad day. "We had to just accept the fact we played very badly on the day and had no excuses," he said. The manager believes the problems run deeper than one poor result. "I think it's structural, I also think it is to do with mentality, as I always think football is," O'Neill added.

The 3-0 loss to Rangers on September 13, with goals from D. Neil and K. Kelsy, halted a run of four consecutive league wins. Despite that domestic form, which has Celtic sitting first in the Premiership with 18 points from six games, the manner of the defeats has raised concerns. The team previously lost 5-1 away to Lask Linz on August 25, squandering a 4-0 aggregate lead from the first leg.

Midfield concerns

A lack of physicality in midfield has been pinpointed as a key weakness in both matches. The trio of Callum McGregor, Mika Baur, and Benjamin Nygren struggled to impose themselves. McGregor himself noted after the Rangers game that the team was effectively defending with only six players. O'Neill stressed the need for improvement in both directions. He said the team must 'do the work and coming back'.

Squad changes and selection

Since a league defeat at Tannadice in April, Celtic have seen 13 players depart for first-team football elsewhere and welcomed 10 new signings. O'Neill acknowledged the challenge of bedding in so many new faces and finding the right tactical combinations. The goalkeeper position is under scrutiny after Sam Johnstone's performance against Rangers, with Viljami Sinisalo a potential option to return between the posts.

In attack, Camilo Duran is available again following a visa trip and could operate just off the main striker. Duran is the team's top scorer this season with three goals in six appearances, and his return could provide a boost for fellow forward Kasper Hogh. The team's overall stats show 14 goals scored and only three conceded in the league, but the recent cup and European results paint a different picture.

Celtic's next challenge is an away trip to face Dundee United on December 30. Before that, O'Neill must find solutions to ensure the team's strong league position, where they hold a five-point lead over Rangers, is not undermined by further collapses. The manager has a history of winning at Celtic, including two Scottish Cups, but he now faces a test of finding who he can trust within a reshaped squad.

Read the full report at Daily Mail Sport