The reaction from Sky Sports analysts was scathing after Martin O'Neill’s Celtic suffered a second loss to Rangers within an eight‑day span. The defeat at Parkhead, which saw Rangers edge the game 1‑0, came on the back of a disappointing Europa League outing against Ferencvaros and left the Glasgow giants perched only two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers, meanwhile, demonstrated that they are genuine title contenders this season, leaving Celtic supporters and pundits alike questioning the current state of the team. Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who now enjoys a break from the bench, believes the timing of the international pause could be a blessing in disguise. He suggested that the squad should use the hiatus to "reset" and regroup.
While O'Neill echoed the sentiment that a reset is necessary, he stopped short of labeling the recent run of results a "disaster." The 74‑year‑old manager described the loss as a hard‑fought contest, noting that the two sides were closely matched in many respects. "We should have created more chances," O'Neill said, pointing to the amount of possession Celtic enjoyed during the match. "It has been a tough week, but the club’s history shows we will bounce back.
It’s concerning, but not a disaster. We need to rethink and reset – it’s a time for self‑reflection." Lennon was far less diplomatic in his assessment. Watching Rangers dominate at Celtic Park, he described the visitors as the "far superior team," not just in terms of physicality and stamina, but also in overall footballing quality.
He praised Rangers for playing the full 90 minutes with intensity, while describing Celtic’s first‑half display as "better than they have been" but still far from brilliant. The second half, according to Lennon, was "totally disjointed" and "outplayed" by the visitors. "All the best players were in a blue shirt today," Lennon added, emphasizing that Celtic have a lot of work to do.
He highlighted the upcoming international break as a potential turning point, even though many of Celtic’s key players will be away representing their countries. "There needs to be a total reset because the last three performances in the space of a week have been very, very poor," he warned.
Former teammate Chris Sutton echoed the concerns, stating that Celtic were "smashed" by Rangers and that the result was a serious warning sign. Sutton noted that Martin O'Neill would undoubtedly be "greatly concerned" about the performance. He added, "I don’t like to disagree with him but it wasn’t a close game.
There was a massive gulf between the teams. I can’t remember a Celtic side being beaten so thoroughly at Celtic Park by Rangers. It looked like Celtic were making it up as they went along.
Rangers were better in every department." Even former Rangers striker Kris Boyd, now a Sky Sports pundit, weighed in on the situation. He argued that for Rangers to dominate Celtic as they did, the result should have been even more convincing. "Celtic are lucky to get out of here 1‑0," Boyd said, criticizing O'Neill’s tactical changes at halftime and the impact of the substitutes, who he felt made "zero impact." The consensus among the pundits is clear: Celtic are in a precarious position and need a strategic overhaul. The combination of a lackluster Europa League showing, a domestic defeat to their fiercest rivals, and a string of underwhelming performances has created a perfect storm of criticism.
The upcoming international break offers a rare opportunity for the squad to step back, assess their shortcomings, and implement the necessary changes. From a tactical perspective, O'Neill may need to reconsider his formation and player roles. The inability to translate possession into clear-cut chances suggests a disconnect between the midfield’s creativity and the forwards’ execution. Moreover, the lack of impact from the bench indicates that the squad depth may not be sufficient to sustain high‑level performances across multiple competitions.
Psychologically, the team appears to be grappling with confidence issues. Losing to Rangers at home, especially after a narrow win earlier in the week, can erode morale. The coaching staff must address this mental aspect, perhaps by fostering a more resilient mindset and reinforcing the club’s winning culture. In terms of player development, the break could be used to work on individual weaknesses identified during the matches – such as defensive positioning, pressing intensity, and finishing efficiency.
Younger players may also be given a chance to prove themselves in training, providing fresh energy and competition for places. Ultimately, the path forward for Celtic hinges on their ability to internalize the criticism, make decisive adjustments, and return to the pitch with renewed purpose. If they manage to reset effectively during the international hiatus, they could still salvage their title ambitions and re‑establish themselves as the dominant force in Scottish football. However, failure to act swiftly may see Rangers pull further ahead, turning Celtic’s early‑season lead into a distant memory.