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<\/p>\nThe Hoops are five points off leaders Hearts and rooted in third as the Premiership approaches it’s finale<\/p>\n
Martin O’Neill (left) and Daizen Maeda(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
Martin O’Neill has been warned that he must settle on a leading Celtic <\/a>striker for the final Premiership run-in.<\/p>\n With just two games remaining before the league splits,<\/a> Derek McInnes’ men remain at the top of the pile with the Hoops trailing by five points after defeat to Dundee United. The Jambos hold a three point advantage over Rangers – but could fall to second before they have the chance to next kick a ball.<\/p>\n The Light Blues face Dundee United on April 4, and a win would move them to the summit on goal difference before Hearts face Livingston the following day. But defending champions Celtic are now on the outside looking in for seven-game title shoot-out.<\/p>\n O’Neill is relying on stumbles from the table-topping Tynecastle men and their Glasgow rivals to defend their crown. Pundit and former Rangers striker Gordon Dalziel reckons that a settled frontline is necessary for the Hoops to claim glory.<\/p>\n Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu and Daizen Maeda have all recently had spells leading the line. Johnny Kenny was given a run in the team by O’Neill before he was punted out on loan to Bolton in the winter window.<\/p>\n Dalziel told Open Goal: “It’s worrying if you are a Celtic fan [defeat to Dundee United]. Forget the pitch, but if Celtic won 2-1 nobody is bothered.<\/p>\n “My big concern just now is, you look at Rangers and you look at Hearts and they are capable of scoring goals. I look a the front three – Yang at Celtic Park looks busy, and can score goals. [Sebastian] Tounekti on the left does nothing for me, apart from when he comes on the pitch [as a substitute].<\/p>\n “They are chopping and changing their centre-forwards like there is no tomorrow, and then going back to Maeda.<\/p>\n Celtic’s Junior Adamu(Image: PA)<\/p>\n “I think, especially with the split, it is going to come down to somebody that is just going to bang the goals in.”<\/p>\n The fixture list is to be announced by the SPFL following matchday 33.<\/p>\n However, league bosses have already confirmed the schedules and dates for the final five fixtures to Celtic, Hearts <\/a>and Rangers.<\/a><\/p>\n Post-split dates are the weekends of April 25\/26, May 2\/3 and May 9\/10 and the midweek of May 12\/13. The final round of top-six matches will take place on Saturday May 16, kick-off 12.30pm.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Celtic's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_Dundee-United-v-Celtic-William-Hill-Premiership-The-CalForth-Construction-Arena.jpg\")
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