Martin O’Neill admitted that Celtic needs to “reassess” their strategy and took full accountability following another defeat to their rivals on Sunday.
Celtic faced Rangers for the second time in just eight days, suffering a 3-0 loss in the Scottish League Cup at Ibrox, and a 1-0 defeat at home in the Scottish Premiership.
This latest setback ended their impressive 13-match winning streak in the league, highlighting growing challenges for the storied club.
In addition to consecutive losses to Rangers, they were also eliminated from the Europa League by Ferencvaros, yet O’Neill believes there’s no need for an overhaul.
“No one is satisfied with the recent outcomes; it’s been a challenging week. However, history shows that the club typically rebounds from adversity,” O’Neill said in an interview with Sky Sports.
“When the players return from international duty, we’ll reevaluate. I don’t see this as a catastrophe. The word I’m hearing is ‘reset.’ It’s time for some self-examination.”
Ryan Naderi netted the only goal, taking advantage of a rebound to score in the first half, punishing a generally lackluster performance from Celtic.
Celtic managed just five shots, with a mere one on target, creating chances that amounted to only 0.71 expected goals.
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— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 20, 2026
“Every loss is painful, just as impactful now as it has been in the past,” O’Neill told BBC’s Sportsound.
“I need to reflect on my own role and consider how I can better support the team. That’s a serious consideration for me.”
“There are always significant questions following a defeat. I accept full responsibility, as this is my team. I am accountable for that self-reflection.”
“We have work ahead of us. It’s unusual for me to experience three consecutive defeats; it’s uncommon for Celtic as a club, and I bear that responsibility.”
On the flip side, Derek McInnes experienced a different narrative, becoming only the second Rangers manager to win both of his first two Old Firm derbies against Celtic, following Graeme Souness in 1986.
“I’m really pleased; we needed to deliver an outstanding performance, and we did just that. It’s a difficult venue, given the circumstances and challenges we face,” he stated to Sky Sports.
“We were aware we had to face a wounded Celtic side. We played with great confidence, though I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t score more goals as we were deserving of it.”
“At 1-0, there’s always a chance they could level things, and we’re frustrated we didn’t capitalize on our opportunities. Nonetheless, it was a deserving victory after a rocky start to the league season.”
In the high-pressure environment of Scottish football, this news signifies a critical juncture for Celtic. The implications of these defeats may resonate beyond just this season, impacting team morale and fan support, which could shape the future of both clubs in the league.
Source: www.soccernews.com
