Three Europa League matches. Three defeats. Four consecutive European losses and 14 goals conceded.

Yet somehow, after Celtic’s latest continental humiliation against Celta Vigo, Martin O’Neill was discussing refereeing decisions, missed opportunities and what might have happened.

With respect to the Celtic manager, surely we are beyond that now?

Celtic Cannot Keep Hiding Behind Fine Margins

Speaking after the 2-1 defeat, O’Neill pointed towards a free-kick decision before Celta’s equaliser and Liam Scales’ header striking the crossbar.

As reported by BBC Sport, O’Neill said: “I think if [Liam] Scales’ header goes in to make it 2-0, we get the three points.”

Perhaps. But football is littered with missed chances and questionable decisions. Successful European teams overcome them. Celtic repeatedly collapse under their weight.

O’Neill also insisted Celtic remain capable of progressing in the competition. Mathematically, that may be true. On current evidence, however, where is the justification for such optimism?

McFadden Exposes the Bigger Problem

Former Scotland international James McFadden offered a considerably more convincing explanation on BBC Sportsound.

“The performances at this level haven’t been good enough,” he said. “Celtic are way short.”

That assessment cuts through the excuses.

Celtic led LASK 4-0 on aggregate before conceding five goals in 77 minutes. Against Celta Vigo, another advantage disappeared as Javi Rodriguez struck twice in three minutes.

Different opponents. Same alarming inability to respond when adversity arrives.

The Celtic Board Cannot Escape Responsibility

Pat Bonner was equally damning, questioning whether Celtic possess the individual and collective quality required to compete at this level.

And that brings us directly to those running the football club.

Celtic possess extraordinary support, substantial financial resources and a stadium that should intimidate visiting European opponents. Yet the team continues to look technically inferior, tactically vulnerable and psychologically fragile.

How can a club with these advantages continue producing such painfully predictable European failures?

Recruitment, strategic planning and ambition must all face serious scrutiny.

O’Neill has inherited problems he did not create, and blaming him alone would be absurd. But explaining defeats through isolated incidents risks obscuring the structural failures that have brought Celtic here.

Four European defeats in succession are not simply bad luck.

They are evidence of a football club falling dangerously short of its potential.

And until Celtic’s leadership accepts that uncomfortable reality, the excuses will change, but the results probably won’t.