Two Europa League defeats and two derby losses have piled on the pressure at Celtic, yet Martin O'Neill insists he sees real signs of progress.
Celtic's latest stumble on the big stage has sharpened the questions around the Scottish giants. Another demanding night in the Europa League ended in defeat, leaving them with two losses from their group games and a growing sense that they struggle whenever the opposition is a serious test.
The damage isn't limited to Europe. Celtic have also lost two derbies, a run that has turned a rough patch into a full-blown wobble. Critics are asking whether a side that dominates weaker opponents at home can handle the pressure of elite-level fixtures.
Martin O'Neill is not buying the gloom. Speaking after the loss, he stayed defiant and pointed to positives he believes are being overlooked amid the scoreboard disappointment. His message was clear: the performances contain more promise than the results suggest.
Belief only goes so far, though. With the group stage moving quickly, Celtic need to turn encouraging signs into points, and soon. The next outing is a chance to prove the progress O'Neill talks about is more than a hopeful narrative.
