The Sky Sports pundits were damning in their analysis of Martin O’Neill’s Celtic after they lost to Rangers for the second time in eight days.
There was also the Hoops’ defeat to Ferencvaros in the Europa League as they limped into the international break just two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, as rampant Rangers showed they are ready to really challenge this season with a 1-0 victory at Parkhead.
It is a break that ex-Hoops boss Neil Lennon believes comes at the right time for the team to “reset”. But, while O’Neill agrees with his former midfielder, he told Sky Sports their winless week is not a “disaster”.
“It was a tough game. I don’t think there’s very much between the teams,” the 74-year-old said.
“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.”
‘All the best players were in a blue shirt’
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Kris Boyd and Neil Lennon were left fearful for Celtic following a dismal display against Rangers
“Outworked, which is the worst thing you can label at a team. Battered, actually battered.”
Lennon, who had more than his share of Old Firm victories as a Celtic player and manager, did not hold back after watching Rangers run riot at Parkhead.
“Rangers were the far superior team, not just in physical attributes and running power, but football,” he added.
“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’ve got 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.
‘Massive gulf between the teams’
“Celtic have got big problems. They were smashed by Rangers and that’s a concern,” added Lennon’s former Celtic team-mate Chris Sutton.
“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.
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Ryan Naderi fires home the rebound to put Rangers 1-0 up against Celtic
“I can’t actually remember a Celtic team getting such a doing at Celtic Park from a Rangers team, 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.”
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‘It should have been more convincing’
Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd was glowing in his analysis of his former team Rangers as he highlighted the growing problems for the current champions.
“To come and dominate a Celtic team as much as what 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.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
