The reaction from Sky Sports analysts was scathing after Martin O'Neill’s Celtic suffered another loss to Rangers, this time for the second time in just eight days. The defeat came on top of a disappointing showing against Ferencvaros in the Europa League, leaving the Glasgow side entering the international break with a precarious two‑point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers, meanwhile, demonstrated they are serious contenders this season with a narrow 1‑0 win at Parkhead. Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes the timing of the break could be a blessing, offering the squad a chance to "reset" and regroup. While O'Neill agreed that a period of reflection is necessary, he was careful not to label the recent run of results 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 in his interview with Sky Sports. "We should have been more creative. We had a lot of possession but failed to turn that into clear chances. It’s been a difficult week, but the club’s history shows we can bounce back from setbacks.
It’s concerning, but not a disaster. We need to rethink, reset, and use this time for self‑reflection." Lennon, who enjoyed a great deal of success in Old Firm clashes both as a player and as a manager, was less forgiving when describing Rangers’ performance at Celtic Park.
"Rangers were the superior side in every respect – physically, in terms of stamina, and tactically," he said. "In the first half Celtic looked a little better, but we were far from brilliant.
The second half was a different story – completely disjointed and outplayed." He added that all the best Celtic players were wearing the blue shirt that day, and that the club now has a lot to contemplate and work on. "The international break arrives at a good moment for us. Some of the squad will be away on national duty, but a full reset is essential because the last three performances in a week have been extremely poor. Celtic have big problems.
Being thrashed by Rangers is a real concern," Lennon concluded. Former teammate Chris Sutton echoed those sentiments, noting the magnitude of the defeat. "Knowing Martin, he’ll be deeply worried.
I don’t want to disagree with him, but it wasn’t a close game. There was a massive gulf between the teams. I can’t recall a Celtic side being beaten so comprehensively at Celtic Park by Rangers.
It seemed like Celtic were improvising as the match went on, while Rangers were better in every department. It was men against boys, just like last week." Rangers’ own former player‑turned‑analyst Kris Boyd praised his current side’s dominance, while also highlighting Celtic’s growing issues. "To dominate a Celtic side the way Rangers did, you would expect an even more convincing performance," Boyd said. "Celtic were lucky to lose only 1‑0.
The changes Martin made at halftime and the substitutes he introduced had virtually no impact. Right now, Celtic are a team in big trouble." The consensus among pundits is clear: Celtic need a thorough reassessment of tactics, personnel, and mindset.
The international break provides a window for players to recover, for the coaching staff to analyse video footage, and for O'Neill to possibly adjust his formation or bring in fresh ideas. The club’s recent form – a loss to Rangers, a disappointing Europa League exit, and a narrow defeat at home – suggests that the current approach is not delivering the results expected of Scotland’s most decorated side.
Looking ahead, the Celtic board may also need to consider longer‑term solutions, such as strengthening the squad in key areas, improving fitness regimes, and perhaps even revisiting recruitment strategies. The pressure from fans and the media is mounting, and the club’s storied history of bouncing back from adversity will be tested. In summary, after a series of lacklustre performances culminating in a 1‑0 loss to Rangers, Celtic find themselves at a crossroads. The immediate priority is a mental and tactical reset during the international break, but the longer‑term challenge will be to rebuild confidence, sharpen the playing style, and restore the dominance that has defined the club for decades.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Celtic can turn the tide or continue to slip down the table.