The reaction from Sky Sports’ panel was scathing after Martin O'Neill’s Celtic suffered a second loss to Rangers within eight days. The defeat came on the back of a disappointing showing against Ferencvaros in the Europa League, leaving the Hoops heading into the international break with only a two‑point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers, meanwhile, demonstrated that they are genuine title contenders by securing a 1‑0 win at Parkhead. Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes the timing of the break could be a blessing, giving the squad a chance to "reset" its approach. O'Neill, while agreeing with the need for a reset, was keen to downplay the severity of the situation, telling Sky Sports that a winless week does not constitute a "disaster".
"It was a tough game. I don’t think there’s a huge gap 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 chances.
The week has been difficult, but Celtic’s history shows the club can bounce back from setbacks. Is it a disaster? No – we need to rethink and reset.
It’s a moment for self‑reflection." Lennon, who enjoyed a wealth of Old Firm success both as a player and as a manager, was less forgiving when he watched Rangers dominate at Celtic Park. "Rangers were the clearly superior side, not just in physicality and stamina but in the quality of their football," he asserted. "In the first half Celtic looked better, though not brilliant, but the second half was a complete collapse – disjointed and outplayed." He added, "All the best players wore the blue shirt today. Celtic have a lot to think about and a lot to fix.
The international break arrives at a useful moment. Some of our men will be away on international duty, but we need a total reset because the last three performances in a week have been very, very poor. Celtic have big problems.
Being smashed by Rangers is worrying." Former teammate Chris Sutton echoed these concerns, saying, "Knowing Martin, he’ll be very worried. I don’t want to disagree with him, but it wasn’t a close match. There was a massive gulf between the sides.
I can’t recall a Celtic team being so thoroughly beaten at Celtic Park by Rangers. It looked as if Celtic were improvising as the game went on.
Rangers were better in every department." "It was men against boys, the same story as last week," Sutton added. Rangers’ own former player‑turned‑pundit Kris Boyd praised his current club’s performance while highlighting Celtic’s growing woes. "To dominate a Celtic side the way Rangers did, the result should have been even more convincing," he said.
"Celtic were lucky to lose only 1‑0. The changes Martin made at halftime and the substitutes he introduced had no impact. Right now, Celtic are a team in big trouble." The broader context of Celtic’s recent form adds weight to these criticisms. After a promising start to the season, the team has struggled to find consistency.
Their Europa League exit at the hands of Ferencvaros was a blow to confidence, and the subsequent league loss to Rangers has amplified doubts about O'Neill’s tactical setup and squad depth. Fans and analysts alike are questioning whether the current roster possesses the resilience and quality required to compete on multiple fronts. Looking ahead, the international break offers a natural pause for the club to assess its shortcomings.
O'Neill could use this period to evaluate the performance of his midfield engine, the effectiveness of his defensive line, and the impact of his attacking options. The manager may also consider reshuffling his starting eleven, bringing in fresh legs, or even exploring the transfer market for reinforcements. In addition to tactical tweaks, there is a psychological component that cannot be ignored.
Consecutive defeats can erode belief within the squad, especially when they occur against a fierce rival like Rangers. Restoring confidence will require strong leadership from senior players, a clear communication of expectations from the coaching staff, and perhaps a renewed emphasis on team cohesion during training sessions. The upcoming break also provides an opportunity for individual players to showcase their abilities on the international stage, potentially boosting morale upon their return.
However, it also risks further fatigue or injury, which could complicate O'Neill’s plans. Balancing these factors will be crucial for Celtic’s revival.
In summary, the consensus among pundits, former players, and observers is that Celtic are at a crossroads. The recent setbacks have exposed tactical frailties, a lack of creativity, and a possible deficiency in mental toughness.
While O'Neill remains optimistic that the situation is not catastrophic, the club must undertake a comprehensive reset—both on and off the pitch—to halt the slide and re‑establish itself as the dominant force in Scottish football.