The reaction from Sky Sports analysts was scathing after Martin O'Neill’s Celtic suffered a second loss to Rangers within just eight days. The defeat came on top of a disappointing Europa League outing against Ferencvaros, leaving the Hoops entering the international break with a slender two‑point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Rangers, meanwhile, demonstrated that they are genuine title contenders by edging Celtic 1‑0 at Parkhead.
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes the timing of the break could be beneficial, offering the squad a chance to "reset". While O'Neill concurs that a period of reflection is needed, he was careful to describe the winless spell as far from a "disaster".
"It was a tough game. I don’t think there’s much difference between the sides," the 74‑year‑old manager said. "We should have been more creative; we had plenty of possession but failed to turn it into clear chances. It’s been a difficult week, but Celtic’s history shows the club can bounce back from setbacks.
Is it a disaster? No, we need to rethink and reset. This is a moment for self‑assessment." Lennon, who enjoyed a wealth of Old Firm victories both as a player and as a manager, was less forgiving when he watched Rangers dominate at Celtic Park. "Rangers were the superior side in every respect – physically, in their running, and technically," he observed.
"They controlled the game. Celtic looked better in the first half, but they were far from brilliant.
In the second half they fell apart, completely out‑played." He added that all of the Celtic starters were wearing the blue shirt, underscoring the collective responsibility for the poor performance. "The international break arrives at a crucial moment. Some of our players will be away on national duty, but the squad as a whole needs a complete reset. The last three games in a week have been shockingly weak.
Celtic have serious issues. Being beaten so comprehensively by Rangers is a worrying sign," Lennon said.
Chris Sutton, Lennon's former teammate at Celtic, echoed the concern. "Knowing Martin, he’ll be deeply troubled. I don’t want to contradict him, but the game wasn’t close – there was a huge gap between the sides. I can’t recall a Rangers side ever winning so convincingly at Celtic Park.
It felt as if Celtic were improvising as the match went on. Rangers were better in every department. It was men against boys, just like the previous week." Rangers’ former player‑turned‑pundit Kris Boyd also weighed in, highlighting the magnitude of Celtic’s problems. "To dominate a team like Celtic the way Rangers did should have been even more convincing," Boyd argued.
"Celtic were lucky to lose only 1‑0. The changes Martin made at halftime and the substitutes he brought on made no impact.
Right now Celtic are a side in serious trouble." The consensus among the pundits is clear: Celtic must use the upcoming break to conduct a thorough review of tactics, personnel and mindset. The club’s recent record – a loss to Rangers, a sub‑par showing in Europe and a narrow domestic defeat – suggests that the current approach is not delivering the results expected of Scotland’s most decorated team.
A reset could involve re‑evaluating the starting XI, tweaking the formation to better exploit possession, and perhaps bringing in fresh ideas during the transfer window. Beyond the tactical adjustments, there is a psychological component.
Players need to regain confidence after being out‑worked and out‑classed by a rival that historically has been their adversary. Restoring belief will likely require strong leadership from senior figures in the dressing room, as well as clear communication from O'Neill about the plan moving forward. In summary, Celtic’s recent performances have exposed deep‑seated issues that cannot be ignored.
While the club’s storied past provides a foundation for resilience, the immediate task is to regroup, reflect, and reset during the international hiatus. Only then can they hope to reclaim their dominance in the Scottish Premiership and re‑establish themselves as a credible force in European competition.