The analysis from Sky Sports' panel was scathing when they broke down Martin O'Neill's Celtic side following a second loss to Rangers within just eight days. The defeat came on top of a disappointing showing against Ferencvaros in the Europa League, leaving the Hoops to head into the international break only two points clear at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. Rangers, meanwhile, demonstrated that they are genuine title challengers this season with a 1-0 triumph at Celtic Park.

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes the timing of the break is ideal for the squad to "reset" and regroup. O'Neill, while echoing Lennon's sentiment, was quick to point out that the winless spell does not constitute a "disaster".

"It was a tough game. I don't think there's very much between the teams," the 74‑year‑old manager told Sky Sports. "We should have created more chances.

We dominated possession but still failed to break them down. It has been a difficult week, but the club's history shows it can bounce back from setbacks. Is it a disaster?

I don't think so. We need to rethink, reset, and take some time for self‑reflection." Lennon, who enjoyed a wealth of Old Firm victories both as a player and as a manager, did not mince words after watching Rangers run riot at Parkhead.

"Rangers were the far superior side, not just in physicality and stamina but in overall football," he said. "They controlled the game.

Celtic looked better in the first half, but they were never brilliant. In the second half they fell apart, completely 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 good moment for them. I know many will be away on international duty, but a complete reset is required because the last three performances in a week have been very, very poor. Celtic have big problems. Being hammered by Rangers is a serious concern." Former teammate Chris Sutton echoed these worries, stating, "Knowing Martin, he'll be deeply concerned.

I don't want to disagree with him, but it wasn't a close game. There was a massive gulf between the sides. I can't recall a Celtic side being so thoroughly dominated at Celtic Park by Rangers.

It looked like Celtic were improvising as the match went on. Rangers were better in every department." "It was men against boys, exactly the same as last week," Sutton continued, underscoring the stark contrast between the two fixtures.

Rangers' own former player‑turned‑analyst Kris Boyd praised his current club's performance while highlighting Celtic's growing issues. "To dominate a Celtic side the way they did, the result should have been more convincing," he said. "Celtic are lucky to have lost only 1-0. Look at the changes Martin made at halftime; the substitutes made zero impact.

Right now, Celtic are a team in big trouble." The combination of a narrow league loss, a lackluster European outing, and mounting criticism from former Celtic figures paints a picture of a club at a crossroads. The upcoming international break could serve as a crucial period for reflection, tactical adjustments, and perhaps a mental reset. O'Neill will need to address the team's inability to convert possession into clear-cut chances, the lack of impact from bench players, and the apparent loss of cohesion in the latter stages of games. If Celtic can use the pause to regroup, re‑energise the squad, and perhaps bring in fresh ideas during training, they may still salvage their title bid.

However, the pressure is mounting, and the next few fixtures will be decisive in determining whether the Hoops can recover or if the season will slip further away from their ambitions.