Martin O’Neill ADMITS COSTLY SELECTION REGRET DESPITE 6-2 THRASHING, SINGLES OUT ONE CELTIC STAR HE ‘SHOULD NEVER HAVE STARTED’ AND VOWS: ‘THAT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN’”

The Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and St. Mirren delivered chaos, goals, and controversy in equal measure but even after a commanding 6–2 victory, the post-match spotlight shifted sharply onto one unexpected talking point: a brutally honest admission from Martin O’Neill that has sent fans into a frenzy online.

At first glance, the scoreline tells a story of dominance. Celtic stormed ahead early through Daizen Maeda’s opener inside the first minute, setting the tone for what looked like a routine demolition job. Anthony Ralston added another just before halftime, but St. Mirren refused to fold quietly, with Mikael Mandron pulling one back in the second half and then dramatically equalizing deep into stoppage time to force extra time.

That late goal stunned Celtic Park and briefly shifted momentum, with nerves creeping in among the home supporters. However, once extra time began, Celtic found another gear entirely. Kelechi Iheanacho struck twice in quick succession, Liam McCowan added another, and Benjamin Nygren capped off the emphatic scoreline. The final whistle confirmed a 6–2 win a result that should have been remembered purely as a statement performance.

But football rarely sticks to simple narratives.

Instead of celebrating the attacking brilliance, much of the post-match discussion has centered around a surprising selection call and the admission that followed it.

In the middle of the post-match analysis, O’Neill didn’t hold back.

He singled out Sebastian Tounekti, who started the match but struggled to make an impact before being substituted in the 61st minute for James Forrest.

O’Neill’s verdict was as blunt as it was unexpected.

“If I’m being completely honest, that’s one I got wrong. He should never have started the game. You can see it didn’t work, and it disrupted the balance early on. That won’t happen again.”

The remark immediately cut through the noise of the result. In a match where Celtic scored six, the focus suddenly shifted to one player and one decision.

Tounekti’s performance had already drawn mixed reactions during the game. Some fans felt he looked out of sync with Celtic’s attacking rhythm, while others believed he simply didn’t get enough time or support to settle. His substitution just past the hour mark hinted that something wasn’t working, but few expected such a direct public acknowledgment afterward.

Online, the reaction exploded within minutes.

@HoopsCentral wrote: “WE JUST WON 6-2 AND THIS IS WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT O’Neill didn’t even hesitate… that’s ruthless.”

@CelticPulse added: “Feel for Tounekti honestly. Yes he struggled, but calling him out like that after a win? That’s brutal.”

@GreenBrigadeTalk posted: “Respect the honesty. Managers always dodge questions he didn’t. That’s why he’s different.”

@FitbaDebate chimed in: “Winning covers everything… but clearly not this. That comment has changed the whole narrative.”

The debate quickly split fans into two camps. One side praised O’Neill for his transparency, arguing that accountability at the top sets standards across the squad. The other side questioned whether such public criticism of a player  especially after a victory was necessary or helpful.

@ParkheadVoice summed up the divide:“You either love that honesty or hate it. No middle ground here.”

What makes the situation more intriguing is the timing. Celtic were far from struggling overall  six goals in a semi-final speaks volumes. Yet the fact that O’Neill chose to highlight a mistake suggests deeper expectations within the squad.

Tactically, some analysts pointed out that Tounekti’s positioning may have disrupted Celtic’s fluid front line in the opening phases. His movement didn’t quite sync with Maeda or Iheanacho, leading to moments where attacks broke down prematurely. When Forrest came on, there was an immediate shift more width, more experience, and better link-up play.

Still, critics argue that development requires patience.

@YouthHoops wrote: “You don’t build players by throwing them under the bus. That could hurt his confidence big time.”

Meanwhile, others saw it as a clear message to the squad.

@CelticStandards posted: “This is elite mentality. Even in a 6-2 win, you fix what’s wrong. No excuses.”

Inside the stadium, the mood had been entirely different. Fans celebrated wildly as the goals flew in during extra time, with chants echoing around the ground as Celtic powered into the final. Few would have predicted that the biggest post-match headline wouldn’t be Iheanacho’s brace or Mandron’s dramatic equalizer  but a substitution decision.

For Tounekti, the coming days will be crucial. Football has a short memory when performances improve, but moments like this tend to linger, especially when amplified by social media.

O’Neill, however, appeared unfazed by the reaction.

He doubled down subtly in follow-up remarks, emphasizing standards rather than individuals.

“At this level, every decision matters. You learn, you adjust, and you move forward. That’s football.”

It’s a philosophy that has defined many successful managers but also one that can create tension when applied publicly.

As Celtic now look ahead to the Scottish Cup final, the narrative around the team has taken an unexpected twist. Momentum is clearly on their side, but the spotlight has shifted inward, focusing on selection choices and squad hierarchy rather than just results.

Fans, meanwhile, continue to argue across platforms, dissecting every word, every decision, and every implication.

@FinalWhistleView perhaps captured the mood best: “Only Celtic could win 6-2 and still leave everyone debating something else entirely.”

In the end, the result stands  a dominant win, a place in the final secured. But the conversation surrounding it proves once again that in football, what happens after the whistle can be just as explosive as what happens before it.