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What Martin O’Neill said about Sam Johnstone has just made his call on McGregor even more baffling

Sam Johnstone was named in the starting XI once again for Celtic’s showdown with Hibernian on Sunday. It wasn’t so long ago that Johnstone had…

Published: Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 7:45 PM
What Martin O’Neill said about Sam Johnstone has just made his call on McGregor even more baffling
Key Things to Know
  • 67hailhail argues Martin O’Neill's goalkeeper rotation is baffling given the lack of rest for midfielder Callum McGregor.
  • Martin O’Neill stated he started Sam Johnstone over Viljami Sinisalo to rotate keepers during a busy fixture run.
  • The publication questions why Celtic rotate goalkeepers while midfielders McGregor and Benjamin Nygren consistently play full 90-minute matches.
The Story in 60 Seconds

67hailhail questions Martin O’Neill’s squad rotation strategy after Sam Johnstone started in goal for Celtic's victory against Hibernian over Viljami Sinisalo. O’Neill explained to Sky Sports that he is rotating goalkeepers to manage a heavy fixture schedule and help Johnstone adapt to conditions. However, the publication argues that rotating goalkeepers is unusual and creates unnecessary inconsistency.

The writer finds O’Neill's goalkeeper rotation especially puzzling compared to his handling of Celtic's midfield, where Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren continue playing full matches without rest. Despite visible fatigue and recent midfield struggles against Celta Vigo and Hibernian, players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remained on the bench.

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