Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has openly hinted at growing frustration with record signing Kasper Hogh following another goalless display.
The Danish striker continues to struggle in front of goal despite returning from injury.
Hogh’s Bright Start Now a Distant Memory
Hogh arrived as a big-money signing in the summer and quickly won over the Celtic support.
His outgoing personality helped, but the early performances on the pitch did even more.
An early hat-trick announced his arrival in style and suggested he would thrive in O’Neill’s system.
At that stage the Dane held the ball up well and regularly brought the wingers into play.
Conversion Rate Becomes a Real Concern
Since that explosive start, however, the goals have completely dried up.
Hogh has not scored again and his conversion rate has been particularly poor.
Regular missed chances have begun to raise questions among supporters.
The striker still offers value in other areas of the pitch, but the lack of end product is becoming harder to ignore.
Duran Seizes His Chance During Injury Absence
While Hogh was sidelined with injury, Camilo Duran stepped into the central striking role.
The Colombian seized the opportunity and found the net regularly.
His movement, work rate and clinical finishing stood in clear contrast to recent displays from the club’s record signing.
Duran’s form forced O’Neill to take notice and has now put real pressure on the Dane’s place in the side.
Wednesday Night Performance Changes Little
Hogh returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday night against St Johnstone.
He once again drew a blank despite being presented with a couple of good chances.
The Dane still did his job in holding the ball up and laying it off to teammates.
Yet he looked even less confident when opportunities arose in the penalty area.
Too often he defaulted to the safe option of laying the ball off rather than taking the shot himself.
O’Neill’s Post-Match Comments Speak Volumes
After the 1-0 victory, O’Neill’s assessment of the attacking display carried clear frustration.
“I thought we started off with a lot of possession,” the Celtic boss said.
“I thought we started to create a few things. When we were doing that, it looked as if there was nobody in the penalty box for us.”
Those words pointed directly at the lack of a genuine presence inside the area.
Second-Half Tempo Improves but Chances Still Squandered
O’Neill noted an improvement after the break.
“We got a bit more tempo into the game in the second half, got the goal and saw it through.”
Yet even then the final product remained disappointing.
“We could have scored a number of goals, but we made that look very, very difficult indeed.”
The comments suggest the manager wants a centre-forward who acts as a constant threat in the box.
He appears less interested in a player who drops deep almost exclusively to link play.
Tactical Shift May Be on the Cards
Until now O’Neill has largely stuck with Hogh as his preferred central option.
That approach even saw Duran deployed out of position at times to accommodate the Dane.
The latest remarks, however, hint at a potential change in thinking.
A switch in mentality now looks more likely even if an immediate change is not guaranteed.
Duran Earns Glowing Praise from the Manager
O’Neill was far more complimentary when discussing Duran after the same match.
“He’s second only to Daizen Maeda in terms of closing players down,” the manager stated.
“So, I wanted to try and see if we could do without him, and the answer is probably not!”
That assessment underlines just how highly the Colombian is valued for his defensive contribution as well as his attacking output.
Recent Form Puts Pressure on Selection Decisions
Celtic have maintained a strong position near the top of the Scottish Premiership in recent weeks.
Consistent results have kept them firmly in the title conversation.
Yet the lack of goals from open play has occasionally left the side vulnerable to frustration.
Supporters have started to debate the best way to utilise the attacking options available.
Fan Reaction Reflects Growing Debate
Many fans still back Hogh and point to his early promise and work rate.
Others argue that Duran has done enough to claim the central role on merit.
Social media discussions after the St Johnstone win showed a clear split in opinion.
The majority, however, agreed that O’Neill’s comments signalled a shift in emphasis.
What the Manager Really Wants from His Striker
O’Neill’s words reveal a desire for a more traditional centre-forward presence.
He wants someone who stays higher up the pitch and forces defenders to deal with constant danger.
Holding the ball up remains useful, but it cannot come at the expense of goal threat.
The current balance appears tilted too far towards link-up play and not enough towards finishing.
Duran’s Versatility Offers Tactical Flexibility
Duran has already shown he can operate effectively as a central striker.
His ability to close down opponents ranks second only to the departed Daizen Maeda.
That combination of pressing intensity and clinical finishing makes him an attractive option.
O’Neill now seems ready to give him more opportunities in the role where he has thrived.
Looking Ahead to Key Fixtures
Celtic face a demanding run of matches in the coming weeks.
Every point will matter as the title race continues to take shape.
Goalscoring form from the centre-forward position could prove decisive.
O’Neill must decide whether to stick with Hogh or fully embrace the form of Duran.
Both Players Still Have Roles to Play
This situation does not mean Hogh will be frozen out completely.
His physical presence and ability to occupy defenders still offer value.
Yet the manager’s recent comments make clear that patience is wearing thin.
Duran has earned the right to more starts in the central role.
The coming weeks will reveal whether O’Neill follows through on the frustration he has now publicly acknowledged.
For now the message is clear: Celtic need a greater threat inside the penalty area.
Hogh must respond quickly if he is to retain his place as the first-choice striker.
Duran, meanwhile, stands ready to take full advantage of any opportunity that comes his way.
Supporters will watch the next selection with particular interest.
The debate over the best central striker is only just beginning to heat up at Parkhead.