The reaction from Sky Sports analysts was scathing after Martin O'Neill’s Celtic suffered a second loss to Rangers within 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 only a two‑point cushion at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. Rangers, meanwhile, demonstrated that they are genuine contenders this season by securing a 1‑0 win at Celtic Park.
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes the timing of the break could not be more appropriate for the team to "reset" its approach. While O'Neill concurs that a period of reflection is needed, he stopped short of calling the recent run of results a "disaster". "It was a tough game.
I don't think there's very much between the teams," the 74‑year‑old manager said when speaking to 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 difficult week, but the club’s history shows it can bounce back from setbacks.
Is it a disaster? I don’t think so – we need to rethink and reset. This is a time for self‑reflection." Lennon, who enjoyed a prolific spell as both player and manager during Celtic’s dominant Old Firm era, was far less forgiving after watching Rangers dominate at Parkhead. "Rangers were the far superior side, not just in physical attributes and stamina, but in the quality of their football," he added.
"They dictated the play. In the first half Celtic looked a little better, but we were nowhere near brilliant. In the second half the team fell apart – totally disjointed and outplayed." He continued, "All the best players were wearing a blue shirt today. Celtic have a lot to consider and a lot to work on.
The international break arrives at a crucial moment for them. I know many of the squad will be away on international duty, but a full reset is required because the last three performances in a week have been extremely poor. Celtic are facing big problems. Being smashed by Rangers is a serious concern." Former teammate Chris Sutton echoed the sentiment, stating, "Knowing Martin, he'll be deeply concerned.
I don’t want to disagree with him, but it wasn’t a close game. There was a massive gulf between the sides. I can’t recall a Celtic side being beaten so comprehensively at Celtic Park by Rangers.
It looked like Celtic were improvising as the match went on. Rangers were better in every department. It was men against boys, just like last week." Rangers’ own former player‑turned‑pundit Kris Boyd praised his current club’s performance while highlighting the alarming state of the champions.
"To dominate a Celtic side the way they did, it should have been even more convincing," Boyd remarked. "Celtic are lucky to have only lost 1‑0.
Look at the changes Martin made at halftime – the substitutes made zero impact. Right now, Celtic are a team in big trouble." The criticism from multiple quarters underscores a growing unease about Celtic’s direction under O'Neill. The team entered the Europa League tie against Ferencvaros already on shaky ground, and the narrow loss to Rangers only deepened concerns about their defensive frailties and lack of cutting edge in attack.
Possession statistics suggest Celtic often dominate the ball, yet they struggle to translate that dominance into clear-cut chances, a problem that was starkly evident at Parkhead. Beyond the tactical issues, there are psychological factors at play.
A string of poor results can erode confidence, especially when the club’s storied history sets a high bar for success. The international break offers a natural pause, providing players with a chance to rest, recover from injuries, and regroup mentally. It also gives the coaching staff an opportunity to reassess tactics, perhaps shifting to a more compact defensive shape or encouraging quicker transitions to exploit the pace of forward players.
Looking ahead, Celtic will need to address several key areas: tightening up at the back to prevent the kind of relentless pressure Rangers applied, improving the efficiency of their final third to make the most of their possession, and fostering a stronger collective mindset that can withstand setbacks. The upcoming fixtures will test whether O'Neill can implement these changes swiftly enough to keep the title race alive. In summary, the consensus among pundits, former players, and observers is clear: Celtic are in a precarious position and must use the international break as a catalyst for a comprehensive reset.
The club’s rich heritage suggests they have the capacity to rebound, but only if decisive adjustments are made on both tactical and mental levels. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Celtic can rediscover the form that once made them the dominant force in Scottish football.