The commentary from Sky Sports analysts was scathing as they dissected Martin O'Neill's Celtic side following a second loss to Rangers within an eight‑day span. The setback came on top of a disappointing showing against Ferencvaros in the Europa League, leaving the Hoops to head into the international break merely two points clear at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers, meanwhile, demonstrated that they are serious contenders this season with a 1-0 triumph at Celtic Park. Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes the timing of the break could not be more appropriate for a "reset" of sorts. While O'Neill concurs that a period of reflection is needed, he stopped short of branding the winless week a "disaster." "It was a tough game. I don't think there's very much between the teams," the 74‑year‑old manager said, acknowledging the narrow margin.
"We should have created more. We had a lot of possession. It has been a tough week. The history of the club proves it will fight back from these things.
It's concerning. Is it a disaster? I don't think so. We have to rethink and reset.
It's a time for self‑reflection." Lennon, who enjoyed considerable success in Old Firm clashes both as a player and as a manager, was less forgiving when describing Rangers' performance at Parkhead. "Rangers were the far superior team, not just in physical attributes and running power, but football," he asserted. "They played all the football.
I thought Celtic were a lot better than they have been in the first half, without being brilliant. But second half, totally disjointed, totally outplayed. All the best players were in a blue shirt today.
Celtic have a lot to ponder and a lot to work out. They have 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, very poor. Celtic have got big problems.
They were smashed by Rangers and that's a concern." Chris Sutton, Lennon's former teammate, echoed the criticism, noting that the defeat was a stark indicator of deeper issues. "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 drubbing at Celtic Park from a Rangers side, which happened today. It looked like Celtic were making it up as they went along. Rangers were better in every department. It was men against boys, it was the exact same as last week." Rangers' own former player and Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd praised his current club's display while highlighting the alarming state of the defending champions.
"To come and dominate a Celtic team as much as they did, it should have been more convincing than what it was," he said. "Celtic are lucky to get out of here 1-0.
You look at the changes that Martin made at the start of the game, the subs that came on made zero impact as well. Right now, Celtic are a team that's in big trouble." The cumulative effect of these comments paints a picture of a Celtic side that is struggling to find cohesion, tactical clarity, and the mental edge required to compete with a revitalised Rangers outfit. The loss to Ferencvaros in Europe added an extra layer of disappointment, exposing defensive frailties that opponents can exploit.
With the international break looming, O'Neill has a narrow window to regroup, assess player fitness, and perhaps reconsider his tactical approach. A potential reset could involve rotating the squad to give fringe players a chance to prove themselves, revisiting set‑piece routines that have been ineffective, and reinforcing the midfield's ability to retain possession under pressure.
The coaching staff may also need to address the apparent lack of intensity in the second half of matches, a recurring theme in recent post‑match analysis. Moreover, the psychological aspect cannot be ignored. Celtic's storied history includes numerous comebacks, but the current narrative suggests a loss of confidence that must be rebuilt.
Leadership within the dressing room, possibly from senior figures like James Forrest or Kristoffer Ajer, will be crucial in restoring belief. In summary, while the immediate reaction from pundits is harsh, the situation also offers an opportunity for introspection and strategic adjustment. If O'Neill and his staff can harness the break to implement meaningful changes, Celtic may yet salvage their title ambitions and restore their reputation as Scotland's premier club. Otherwise, the gap between them and a surging Rangers side could widen, turning a temporary setback into a long‑term crisis.