Martin O'Neill says he will 'reflect' on Celtic future after Rangers defeat
September 20, 2026 19:31
The comment came during O'Neill's post-match news conference following Celtic's second loss to Rangers in a week. He said: "I genuinely will reflect and see. It's a matter of whether I can help the team. The manager is supposed to be able to do that. I will look at that this week." He added: "I will reflect on the games and speak to the board. You never know, they may well want to speak to me. I'll try to get a couple of days away and see how it goes." O'Neill also joked about his age, saying "I'll be 110 in two years' time so it might be time to wrap it up."
WHAT LED HERE
O'Neill returned to Celtic this season following a turbulent period for the club. The manager delivered a double last season and, in his first spell, he very nearly lifted the Uefa Cup in 2003 against a Porto side managed by Jose Mourinho. The article notes that "his status as one of the club's all-time great managers is surely secure."
But recent results have piled pressure on the management. Celtic suffered a home European defeat to Ferencvaros earlier in the week and have twice lost to Rangers in a short span. The source recalls a damaging collapse in August when Celtic were 4-0 up on aggregate against LASK in Linz and exited the Champions League play-off after a reversal in that game. Since then, four Premiership wins have followed but were described as largely unimpressive, with three single-goal victories against Falkirk, St Mirren and St Johnstone.
Tactical changes and transfer questions
O'Neill has tried multiple adjustments to arrest the slide, including attempts to fit signings Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh into the team, trying different midfielders and, in the derby, dropping wingers and fielding five defenders while pushing full-back Kieran Tierney further forward. A section of supporters and former players have voiced concerns about recruitment and quality. Former Scotland international James McFadden said on Sky Sports: "They haven't actually added to the squad in terms of numbers or real quality. They've just replaced what left." Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton described the derby defeat bluntly: "It wasn't a close game... There was a massive gulf. I can't remember a Celtic team getting such a doing from a Rangers team at Celtic Park. Rangers were a team and Celtic weren't. They knew their next pass and Celtic didn't. Rangers were better in every department. They were smashed and that's the concern."
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
O'Neill has said he will reflect on recent performances this week and speak to the board. Beyond that, he indicated only that he would take a short break to consider his position.