The reaction from Sky Sports’ panel was brutally honest when they broke down Martin O'Neill’s Celtic side following their second loss to Rangers in just eight days. The defeat at Parkhead, which handed Rangers a 1-0 victory, came on the back of a disappointing Europa League exit at the hands of Ferencvaros.
Those setbacks left the Glasgow giants perched only two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership as they headed into the international break, while their rivals appeared to be gathering momentum and threatening to mount a serious title challenge. Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who has overseen numerous Old Firm triumphs both as a player and a coach, argued that the pause in fixtures could not have come at a better moment.
He urged the club to use the break as an opportunity to "reset" and address the shortcomings that have become apparent over the past week. O'Neill, now 74, echoed many of Lennon's sentiments but was careful to downplay the situation, insisting that a single winless week does not constitute a "disaster".
"It was a tough game. I don't think there's very much between the teams," O'Neill told Sky Sports. "We should have created more chances. We had a lot of possession, but we failed to turn that into goals.
It has been a challenging week, but the history of Celtic shows that we will fight back from setbacks like this. Is it a disaster?
I don't think so. We need to rethink, reset, and use this period for self‑reflection." Lennon was less forgiving. He described Rangers as "the far superior team" not only in physicality and stamina but also in the quality of their football. "They played all the football," he said.
"Celtic looked better than they have been in the first half, but they were nowhere near brilliant. The second half was a different story – totally disjointed, completely outplayed." The former captain added that the loss highlighted deeper issues within the squad.
"All the best players were in a blue shirt today. Celtic have a lot to ponder and a lot to work out.
The international break is probably coming at a good time for them. I know many of them will be away on international duty, but there needs to be a total reset because the last three performances in a week have been very, very poor.
Celtic have got big problems. They were smashed by Rangers and that's a concern," he said. Chris Sutton, Lennon's old teammate, reinforced the criticism.
"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 recall a Celtic side being beaten so comprehensively at Celtic Park by Rangers.
It looked like Celtic were making it up as they went along. Rangers were better in every department.
It was men against boys, exactly the same as last week." Even Rangers' own former player and current Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd praised his old club’s performance while pointing out the growing concerns for the champions. "To dominate a Celtic team as they did should have been more convincing than it was," he observed. "Celtic are lucky to have only lost 1-0. Look at the changes Martin made at the start of the game; the substitutes made zero impact.
Right now, Celtic are a team in big trouble." The consensus among pundits is clear: Celtic must address both tactical and psychological deficiencies before the season’s second half. The lack of cutting edge in the final third, despite dominating possession, suggests a need for sharper attacking patterns and perhaps a reassessment of the forward line.
Defensive lapses, especially in the second half, indicate that concentration and organization have slipped, allowing Rangers to exploit space and create chances. Beyond the immediate tactical tweaks, the upcoming international break offers a chance for the squad to regroup. Players returning from national duty will bring fresh perspectives and perhaps renewed confidence, while those staying at the club can use the time to recover physically and mentally. The coaching staff can also use video analysis to pinpoint moments where the team lost shape or failed to press effectively.
Furthermore, the psychological aspect cannot be ignored. Consecutive defeats can erode morale, and the perception that Celtic are "in big trouble" may become a self‑fulfilling prophecy if not addressed.
Leadership from senior players, both on and off the pitch, will be essential to restore belief. Team‑building exercises, clear communication from the manager, and a renewed emphasis on a collective identity could help reverse the negative narrative.
In summary, Celtic’s recent performances have exposed significant vulnerabilities that need urgent attention. While the club’s storied history suggests resilience, the current reality is that they have been outplayed, out‑worked, and out‑matched in crucial moments. The international break provides a natural window for a strategic reset: revisiting formations, sharpening attacking intent, tightening defensive responsibilities, and rebuilding the mental fortitude required to compete at the top of Scottish football.
If O'Neill and his staff can implement these changes effectively, Celtic could still salvage their season and re‑establish themselves as genuine title contenders. Otherwise, the gap between them and a surging Rangers side may widen further, leaving the Hoops scrambling to catch up.