Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has delivered a stark warning to his old club, declaring that their once-formidable fear factor has completely vanished. The legendary forward fears this loss of aura could see the Glasgow giants plummet to Europa Conference League football next season—a stunning fall for a side that has dominated Scottish football for over a decade.
The statistics paint a concerning picture. Despite winning 13 of the last 14 Scottish Premiership titles, Celtic find themselves in an unfamiliar third place, trailing leaders Hearts by three points with only five matches left. This dramatic dip in form represents a seismic shift in the Scottish football landscape, where Celtic's dominance was once a near-certainty.
McAvennie points to a rapid decline that seems worlds away from the team that pushed European giants like Bayern Munich to the brink just over a year ago. Since then, instability has reigned, with three different managers taking charge this season alone, creating a palpable sense of turmoil both on and off the pitch.
"Nobody's scared of Celtic any more, that's the biggest problem," McAvennie stated bluntly. "Every team's having a go at them. The last 13, 14 years, it's been trophy after trophy after trophy. These young boys among the support have never seen Celtic where they are, and it's hurting them."
The immediate pressure is on this weekend in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren—a team that has already beaten Celtic in a final this season. McAvennie, who played for both clubs, admits a St Mirren victory at Hampden would no longer be considered a major shock. "It wouldn't be a surprise the way it would be a couple of years ago," he conceded.
Reflecting on the stark contrast, he added, "I don't get it. A year ago, we went and drew with Bayern Munich... what's happened? Very quickly it's turned into the show it is at the moment, and it's not the best show in town."
The stakes for Celtic's future in European competition have never been higher. A top-two league finish offers a shot at the Champions League, while winning the Scottish Cup secures a Europa League qualifying spot. Failure on both fronts would mean a humbling drop into the Conference League.
"They could finish third this year, and if they finish third and don't win the cup, they'll be in the Conference League," McAvennie warned. He believes even seasoned leaders like Callum McGregor are navigating unprecedented pressure, tasked with rallying a squad unaccustomed to chasing from behind. For a club of Celtic's stature and history, this moment represents one of its most significant modern crossroads.