Martin O'Neill is poised to take a hard look at his position as Celtic manager after the team suffered a 1-0 loss to Rangers at Parkhead. The defeat follows a 3-0 League Cup triumph over the same opponents at Ibrox, and a closely contested Scottish Premiership encounter in which a first‑half goal from Ryan Naderi left Derek McInnes' side just two points behind Celtic at the top of the table before the international break. Now in his second permanent spell at the helm – after two interim stints earlier in the season – O'Neill entered the Rangers match under mounting pressure.

The pressure had been building since Celtic were beaten 3-1 by Ferencváros at Celtic Park on Thursday night, a result that left fans and pundits questioning the manager’s tactics and his ability to steer the club back to its traditional dominance. Following the loss, the 74‑year‑old manager spoke candidly about the need for self‑reflection. “I genuinely will reflect and see,” O'Neill told reporters.

“It’s a matter of whether I can help the team. The manager is supposed to be able to do that.

I will look at that this week.” He added a hint of personal introspection, noting that age can be a factor when results falter: “I think every single time something crops up and things don’t go so well, age plays a part. And, do you know what, they might be right.

I’ll be 110 in two years’ time so it might be time to wrap it up.” O'Neill said he would discuss the situation with the club’s board and consider taking a short break: “I will reflect on the games and speak to the board. You never know, they may well want to speak to me. I’ll try to get a couple of days away and see how it goes.” When pressed on what he would do if his reflection concluded that he could not improve the squad, he replied, “By that time, I will promise you, I’ll let you know. I don’t know.

I’ll have a look.” Addressing the growing negativity among Celtic supporters, O'Neill acknowledged their frustration: “Well, I think they’re absolutely entitled. I mentioned this to you on Friday, absolutely entitled to, of course.

And I’m not immune from criticism. Far from it. Absolutely and utterly far from it.” He recognized the legitimate question on his head, “Can you turn this round? Can you change the whole thing?” Yet he reminded everyone that Celtic still sat two points clear at the top, urging a broader perspective: “We are, as I said, two points clear, so I have to kind of look at the bigger picture at this minute.

But I knew that we were in a big, big fight anyway, with both ourselves, Rangers, and Hearts again, who are far from out of anything. It’s a long season ahead. It’s not the first time I’ve been questioned about my managerial time.

So, yeah, I’ll have a look at it. I will reflect and see.” Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon weighed in on Sky Sports, highlighting the tactical adjustments O'Neill had tried: “He’s changed formation, he made four changes midweek. He’s trying to find a recipe to get some fluidity. Rangers were the far superior team, not just in physical attributes and running power, but football.

They played all the football. Celtic were a lot better than they have been in the first half, without being brilliant. But second half, totally disjointed, totally outplayed.

Outworked, which is the worst thing you can label at a team. Really disjointed, battered, actually battered.

All the best players were in a blue shirt today. Celtic have a lot to ponder and a lot to work out. They’ve got an international break, which is probably coming at a good time for them. I know a lot of them may be away playing for their countries but there needs to be a total reset because the last three performances in the space of a week have been very poor.” Sky Sports analyst Chris Sutton echoed similar concerns: “Knowing Martin, he’ll be greatly concerned.

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 actually remember a Celtic team getting such a doing at Celtic Park from a Rangers team, which happened today. It looked like Celtic were making it up as they went along.

Rangers were better in every department. Celtic have got big problems. They were smashed by Rangers and that’s a concern.” The defeat has reignited a debate that has been simmering all season: is O'Neill still the right man to lead Celtic back to the summit of Scottish football? While the manager’s willingness to step back and evaluate his performance demonstrates a degree of humility, the club’s hierarchy will also need to assess whether a change is required to restore the team’s confidence and competitiveness.

Celtic’s recent form has been a mixture of highs and lows. The emphatic League Cup win over Rangers showcased the squad’s potential when operating at full throttle, yet the league loss exposed defensive frailties and a lack of cohesion in the second half.

Moreover, the earlier European disappointment against Ferencváros added to the mounting pressure on O'Neill, who now faces a crucial period of introspection during the international break. If O'Neill decides to stay on, he will likely need to address several key areas: defensive organization, midfield balance, and a clear tactical identity that can withstand the intensity of Old Firm clashes.

The club’s recruitment strategy may also come under scrutiny, as fans demand fresh talent that can lift the side’s performance levels. Conversely, if O'Neill concludes that he cannot deliver the required improvement, Celtic’s board will have to act swiftly.

The timing of any potential managerial change would be critical, as the club still has a demanding schedule ahead, including domestic cup competitions and a push for European qualification. In any case, the upcoming international break offers a natural pause for both O'Neill and Celtic to regroup, reassess, and decide on the best path forward.

Whether that path involves the veteran manager continuing his tenure, or a new appointment to rejuvenate the squad, remains to be seen. The supporters, the board, and the players will all be watching closely as the club navigates this pivotal moment in its season.