Celtic have been warned they are being outmuscled in midfield and lacking a ruthless edge in attack, with one club legend claiming Rangers currently possess exactly what the Hoops are missing.
Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has delivered a blunt assessment of the current squad, arguing that Martin O’Neill’s side are being “bullied” in key areas of the pitch and need a major identity shift if they are to dominate games again.
“Celtic Are Getting Run About” — Harsh Midfield Verdict
McAvennie believes Celtic’s biggest issue is in the centre of the park, where he feels opposition sides are taking control too easily.
He pointed to skipper Callum McGregor as being overworked and left without enough protection or support around him.
In his view, Celtic lack a dominant, aggressive presence — the kind of player who sets the tone physically and mentally.
His verdict was direct: Celtic are being “run about” in midfield, with no structure strong enough to control matches against energetic opposition.
Rangers Comparison Raises Eyebrows
Much of McAvennie’s argument centres around Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin, who he believes represents the type of player Celtic are currently missing.
He highlighted how opposition fans dislike playing against him, describing him as disruptive, aggressive, and influential in dictating tempo.
That, he says, is exactly what Celtic have lacked since the days of iconic enforcers such as Scott Brown, Neil Lennon, Peter Grant, and Roy Aitken.
For McAvennie, those players didn’t just play football — they intimidated opponents and controlled games through presence alone.
“No Scott Brown Since” — Celtic’s Missing Identity
The former striker didn’t hold back when reflecting on Celtic’s modern midfield setup.
He believes the club has not replaced Scott Brown’s leadership or physical dominance, leaving a gap that opponents are now exploiting.
In his view, Celtic’s midfield lacks bite, personality, and authority — qualities that once defined their dominance in Scotland.
He also suggested that Rangers currently have more midfield control in key matches, referencing recent performances where they have dictated tempo and imposed themselves physically.
Striker Concerns Add to the Picture
The criticism wasn’t limited to midfield.
McAvennie also raised concerns about Celtic’s attacking options, insisting the squad lacks a consistent, aggressive centre-forward presence.
He expressed doubts over certain forwards’ intensity and suggested Celtic are missing a natural focal point up front — someone capable of not just scoring, but holding play up and bringing others into the game.
In contrast, he praised the mentality of traditional strikers who demand the ball, take responsibility, and react strongly to missed chances.
For him, Celtic’s current forward line doesn’t consistently show that same hunger.
“Create Your Own History” — Final Warning to Celtic
Despite his criticism, McAvennie acknowledged that Celtic still have a chance to end the season with silverware, including a potential domestic double.
But he warned that success alone won’t hide underlying issues in the squad’s structure and mentality.
He urged the team to focus on building their own identity rather than relying on past achievements, stressing that big moments define clubs more than reputation.
His message was clear: Celtic cannot rely on history — they must start imposing themselves again in the present.
Final Word
McAvennie’s comments have reignited a familiar debate around Celtic’s squad balance — control versus aggression, skill versus physical dominance.
Whether the current team responds or not, the message is unmistakable: in his eyes, Celtic are being technically outplayed and physically outmuscled, while rivals have already found the edge they are still searching for.
