I've started a random game as the vikings and after several turns I meet the Celts.
They have the worst starting position ever!
http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads6/celts_start.jpg
Bug or feature? You tell me!
At least they'll survive until I have my berzerk!

Banzai!

Not it is not a bug, since all the starting positions are random. Crappy starting location though. If that were my starting location, I would definitely start over.

Not a bug. Although the starting location does suck, it is not a bug because like Goober said, it is random and therefore, anything can happen.