Celtic head into a crucial run of fixtures with everything still to play for domestically. In the Scottish Premiership, they sit third-two points behind Rangers and three adrift of leaders Hearts.
With both rivals still due to visit Parkhead after the split, the title picture remains open, but there is little margin for error.
Before league matters resume, attention turns to Hampden, where Celtic face St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final. For Martin O’Neill, the most pressing tactical dilemma is clear: who should lead the line?
Celtic’s upcoming fixtures
19 April: St Mirren (Hampden) – Scottish Cup semi-final, 2pm
25 April: Falkirk (Parkhead) – Premiership, 5:30pm
3 May: Hibernian (Easter Road) – Premiership, 12pm
10 May: Rangers (Parkhead) – Premiership, 12pm
13 May: Motherwell (Fir Park) – Premiership, 8pm
16 May: Hearts (Parkhead) – Premiership, 12:30pm
23 May: Possible Scottish Cup Final vs Dunfermline Athletic or Falkirk, 3pm
Striker dilemma at Hampden
In the most recent meeting with St Mirren, Tomáš Čvančara started up front but struggled to make any real impact. The forward was limited to just 17 touches, managed one effort on goal that was comfortably saved by Shamal George, and was substituted shortly after the hour mark.
His replacement, Kelechi Ịheanachọ, made more of an impression. The Nigerian had already delivered a decisive moment a week earlier, netting a late winner against Dundee at Dens Park to keep Celtic’s hopes alive during a key stretch of the season.
Ịheanachọ’s stop-start campaign
The 29-year-old’s season has been heavily disrupted by injuries, restricting him to just 709 minutes in all competitions. Between late October and late March—during a turbulent spell that included multiple managerial changes—he barely featured in the league.
However, when available, he has shown flashes of real quality. He scored early in his Celtic spell against Kilmarnock and Motherwell, and also opened the scoring away to Crvena zvezda in European competition. If he is fully fit, he remains a genuine option for the run-in.
Čvančara vs Ịheanachọ – key Celtic stats
Statistic Čvančara Ịheanachọ
Minutes 778 709
Appearances 13 17
Goals 2 4
Assists 2 1
Expected goals (xG) 4.31 5.45
Big chances missed 5 8
Big chances created 1 3
Shots 15 19
Shots on target 7 9
Touches in opposition box 18.38% 22.16%
The numbers show two forwards with fairly similar overall output across comparable minutes. Neither has been consistently decisive, although Ịheanachọ edges ahead in goals and xG, having also registered more attempts on goal.
At the same time, both have been wasteful in key moments, with Ịheanachọ missing more clear chances than his teammate. His higher involvement in the penalty area does suggest a stronger presence inside the box, even if the overall impact remains mixed.
No perfect answer for O’Neill
There is no obvious solution for Celtic in attack right now. The days of having multiple prolific, in-form strikers competing for one spot feel distant compared to earlier eras.
On balance, Ịheanachọ may slightly strengthen Celtic’s chances at Hampden if he is fully fit, offering a bit more instinct and movement in the box. However, his fitness remains a concern, and consistency has been lacking.
As for Čvančara, it is difficult to see Celtic triggering a permanent move for the Borussia Mönchengladbach forward unless there is a significant turnaround in form.
For O’Neill, the decision at centre-forward could end up shaping Celtic’s season.