Celtic supporters have voiced their frustration with one of the club’s summer additions following the Hoops’ narrow Scottish Premiership victory over St Johnstone, despite Martin O’Neill’s side maintaining their perfect start to the league campaign.
The Hoops travelled to McDiarmid Park knowing that another victory would strengthen their position at the top of the table. Celtic eventually secured all three points, but the performance left some supporters far from satisfied, with questions raised about the contribution of several players.
Mika Baur proved to be the difference between the two sides when he found the net early in the second half. Celtic controlled large portions of the contest but struggled to turn their possession into clear-cut opportunities, while St Johnstone also threatened on occasions.
One of the players attracting particular attention from supporters was Oliver Sørensen, who was handed his first Celtic start after joining the club on a season-long loan from Parma. The Danish midfielder had previously made his debut from the bench before being trusted from the beginning in Perth.
Sørensen was deployed in an attacking midfield role as O’Neill looked for creativity and energy in the middle of the pitch. However, his performance divided opinion among Celtic supporters, with some fans questioning whether he did enough to influence the match.
The 24-year-old was eventually withdrawn in the 67th minute, with Celtic looking to change the dynamic of the game and protect their narrow advantage.
The reaction on social media was immediate, with some Celtic supporters particularly unhappy with what they saw from the new arrival.
@ParadiseBhoy67 wrote: “Three points is three points, but honestly that was nowhere near good enough. Sørensen looked completely lost tonight. Too slow, hardly created anything and offered very little going forward. We need much more from him.”
Another supporter, @CelticLoyal1888, was even more critical, posting: “I’m sorry but what exactly did Sørensen bring to that game? 😭 The midfield looked disconnected for long periods. This is a crisis if we’re expecting him to be a regular starter. Hopefully he improves quickly.”
The criticism was not universal, however, with some fans urging supporters to be patient with the midfielder.
@GreenAndWhite1907 offered a different view: “People are going way too hard on Sørensen already. It was his first Celtic start! Give the lad time to settle into a new team and a new league before writing him off. He clearly needs minutes.”
@HoopsForLife, admitted they were not impressed but insisted improvement would be necessary.
“Awful performance tonight. We got away with it against St Johnstone. Sørensen has to improve massively because Celtic need midfielders who can take control of games like this. One good performance and everything changes,” the fan posted.
There was also a more measured assessment from @CelticEndBhoy, who wrote: “Not convinced by Sørensen yet. I know it’s early, but he didn’t look comfortable enough for me. The manager has to get more out of him because there is definitely a player in there somewhere.”
Meanwhile, @ParadisePride urged Celtic supporters not to rush to judgment.
“Everyone calm down 😂 We won, we’re still perfect in the league and the new boys are still adapting. Sørensen didn’t have his best game, but calling him useless after one start is ridiculous. Give him time. 🍀”
The contrasting reactions demonstrate just how quickly expectations can rise around a new Celtic signing. A player can receive criticism after one difficult performance, particularly when the team itself is struggling to produce the attacking football supporters expect.
Despite the concerns, the result remained the most important aspect of the night.
Baur broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute after Celtic created an opening in the St Johnstone defence. The goal gave the visitors the advantage, but Celtic were unable to find the second goal that would have settled the contest.
St Johnstone continued to compete until the final whistle, forcing Celtic to work hard to protect their lead.
Celtic also had an effort ruled out later in the match, while the home side continued to look for an equaliser. The narrow margin ensured there was plenty of tension during the closing stages.
For Sørensen, the match was an important opportunity to show O’Neill that he can become a regular part of the Celtic midfield. Instead, his performance has generated debate among supporters, with some already questioning whether he can deliver consistently at the level required at Parkhead.
However, it would be premature to make a final judgment after such a small sample of appearances.
The midfielder has only recently arrived at Celtic and is still adapting to his teammates, the manager’s tactical approach and the demands of Scottish football. His loan spell gives him plenty of time to improve and demonstrate his qualities.
The pressure, though, will remain intense.
Celtic are competing on several fronts and will need every member of their squad to contribute throughout the campaign. Sørensen will therefore have further opportunities to change the narrative surrounding his early performances.
A strong display in his next appearance could quickly silence the criticism.
For now, Celtic remain perfect in the Scottish Premiership after another victory, but the supporters’ reaction shows that simply collecting three points will not always be enough.
The Hoops will expect improved performances as the season progresses, while Sørensen will be hoping his next opportunity provides the platform to show exactly why Celtic brought him to Glasgow.
