Celtic thrashed Hearts 7-1 at Parkhead on Sunday to send out a strong message to everyone in Scottish football, but the result wasn't good news for everyone connected to the club.

Celtic were in desperate need of a positive result after losing four of their previous five matches, including Thursday night's disappointing 4-1 defeat to Benfica in the Portuguese capital.

The loss against Marco Silva's men was particularly galling as it exposed the gulf in class between them and a fellow Europa League side, so Martin O'Neill will be delighted that they laid down a marker against third-placed Hearts.

In all honesty, the Hoops didn't have to work too hard for their goals after a defensive disaster from the Jambos, who came within a whisker of winning the Scottish Premiership title ahead of Celtic just a few months ago.

Still, the Glasgow giants had to finish the chances that were largely handed to them on a plate, and that is what they did as Callum Osmand scored twice on his first start for the club, while Camilo Duran produced a stunning display alongside him in attack.

O'Neill made four changes to the team that was beaten so easily in Portugal, and he has been given plenty of food for thought when it comes to selecting his team to face Celta Vigo at Celtic Park on Thursday night.

After losing both of their European games against Ferencvaros and Benfica so far, Celtic are in desperate need of three points against the Spanish side if they are to prolong their European campaign.

Duran is one of the first names on the team-sheet right now but there is more competition for places in wide areas, which culminated in Sebastian Tounekti being left out of the squad entirely on Sunday afternoon.

Jota and Osmand Could End Tounekti's Celtic Career

Thursday was Tounekti's 59th appearance for Celtic since he joined the club in a deal worth more than £5m in the summer of 2025, and it would be fair to say that he is still yet to make his mark for the Hoops.

The goal contribution numbers just haven't been there for the Tunisia international throughout his time at Celtic Park, and it has been no different this season.

The 24-year-old has one goal and one assist, which came in the same game, in 14 appearances in all competitions for the Bhoys so far.

That record clearly isn't good enough for a player who is getting regular time on the pitch in an attacking position, and O'Neill made the brutal call to axe him from the squad even though he started against Benfica on Thursday.

It sent out a message to Tounekti that he needs to improve and quickly, but there are plenty of reasons to believe it could be the beginning of the end for the Tunisian at Celtic Park.

Firstly, Duran is almost guaranteed a starting spot following an outstanding start to life in Glasgow, where he has already beaten both Tounekti's goals and assists tally in just 15 appearances.

He started in the centre-forward role against Hearts but is also able to play on either wing, while Osmand will be high in O'Neill's thinking after shining from the left against the Jambos.

Haissem Hassan came into the XI after an impressive cameo from the substitutes' bench in Lisbon, while Jota is now back to full fitness and ready to make a big impact in a green and white shirt again.

Tounekti could quite easily find himself quite far down the pecking order in the next few weeks, and if he doesn't produce more than what he has managed to so far, it's hard to see a way back for him at Celtic Park.