Key Points
- Frank McAvennie, former Celtic striker, names one player as the most improved this season amid Celtic’s inconsistent campaign.
- McAvennie highlights that no team fears Celtic anymore, leading to open games with more space and less control.
- Teams now press Celtic near their own box instead of the halfway line, unlike previous seasons.
- Callum McGregor remains key but isolated, as Celtic lacks support to dictate play from midfield.
- McAvennie praises a specific winger’s impact, calling them “the most improved player this year.”
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) April 14, 2026 –
Frank McAvennie, a former Celtic striker, has delivered a candid evaluation of Celtic’s season, pinpointing the one player he considers the standout improver amid a campaign marked by inconsistency. In an analysis covered by Celts Are Here, McAvennie stated that the team has lost its intimidating edge.
Why Has Celtic Lost Its Fear Factor?
As reported by the Celts Are Here team, McAvennie explained:
“Nobody’s scared of Celtic anymore, that’s the biggest problem, you know, nobody’s scared of them. Every team’s having a go at them and, you know, it’s a wee bit different for you.”
He elaborated on the tactical shift, noting how opponents now engage Celtic differently.
“They’re used to playing the halfway line, and they’re not; they’re playing at the edge of the box now,”
McAvennie said. This change has resulted in more open games with increased space on the pitch.
McAvennie pointed to Callum McGregor as a central figure in this dynamic.
“So the game’s opened up because there’s a lot of space, whereas Calum McGregor used to play across the halfway line and in their [the opposition] half and dictate the play,”
he observed.
Who Is Celtic’s Most Improved Player According to McAvennie?
In the same Celts Are Here piece, McAvennie singled out a winger for praise, describing them as
“The Most Improved Player This Year.”
He assessed the player’s impact positively, contrasting it with the broader team struggles.
The former striker’s comments underscore a season where results have been patchy and performances inconsistent. “It has not been a smooth campaign,” the Celts Are Here report summarised, with the sense of control that once defined Celtic now diminished.
McAvennie’s blunt assessment aligns with observations of Celtic failing to pin teams back as in previous years. This has introduced more risk into matches that were once routine.
What Changes Have Occurred in Celtic’s Midfield Dynamics?
McAvennie highlighted McGregor’s isolation.
“There’s nobody there now, it’s only Calum, because we need him going forward,”
he remarked, as per Celts Are Here.
This lack of midfield presence means Celtic cannot dominate possession from advanced areas. Opponents exploit the space, pressing higher up the pitch.
The analysis reflects a familiar complaint among observers: Celtic’s inability to control games through sustained pressure.
How Does This Fit into Celtic’s Overall Season Narrative?
Celtic’s campaign has featured ups and downs, with the team struggling to replicate past dominance. McAvennie’s views, shared via Celts Are Here, capture this shift.
No additional sources beyond the Celts Are Here coverage provided further statements on this specific assessment. McAvennie’s comments stand as the primary insight into the winger’s progress and team issues.
Background of the Development
Frank McAvennie, a former Celtic striker from the 1980s known for his goal-scoring record, has remained a vocal commentator on the club. His assessment follows a season of inconsistent results for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and European competitions. Callum McGregor, Celtic’s captain and midfielder, has been a mainstay, but the team has faced challenges in maintaining midfield control. The referenced winger’s improvement comes amid broader tactical adjustments under manager Brendan Rodgers, who returned to the club in 2023. This development stems from ongoing analyses of Celtic’s form, with McAvennie’s interview conducted recently as part of fan and media discussions on the club’s trajectory.
Prediction
This development can affect Celtic supporters by highlighting individual bright spots like the winger’s progress amid team-wide concerns, potentially tempering expectations for title challenges while encouraging focus on key players. Fans may see increased scrutiny on midfield reinforcements in transfers, influencing attendance and engagement with matches. For club management, it underscores the need for tactical tweaks to regain control, impacting recruitment decisions and season ticket renewals. Bettors tracking Scottish football could adjust wagers on Celtic games, viewing them as less predictable due to open playstyles. Local Glasgow media and businesses tied to Celtic, such as matchday vendors, might experience variable revenue based on performance perceptions.
