Celtic Count the Bruises Ahead of Old Firm Derby

Celtic have little time to lick their wounds. Less than 72 hours after a draining Europa League defeat at Celtic Park, Martin O’Neill’s players are back under the microscope, their fitness and resolve being tested before Sunday’s Old Firm derby with Rangers.

O’Neill confirmed the squad were put through a recovery session on Friday, with the focus on those who carried the heaviest load on Thursday night and those who failed to finish the game.

“The players are just a bit of a warm-down today, the lads who played most of the game, so we’ll see how they are,” the Celtic manager said. “There’s one or two lads who came off; we’ll have a look to see how they are tomorrow.”

The message was clear: no guarantees, no certainties, just assessments and anxious waits. Those who logged the most minutes were restricted to warm-down work as medical staff began checking for damage that might alter O’Neill’s plans for the weekend. The concern centres on “one or two” who were forced off before the final whistle, with their availability for Rangers now in doubt.

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The timing could hardly be harsher. Celtic are staring at a rapid turnaround before they host their greatest rivals in the Premiership on Sunday, the second Old Firm clash of the season and one that already feels loaded after last weekend’s result.

Rangers beat Celtic 3-0 only days ago, a bruising setback that sharpened the edge on this latest meeting. Now O’Neill must piece together a side in limited time, juggling knocks, fatigue and the emotional fallout of a European defeat.

Medical checks over the next day or so will dictate who makes it onto the teamsheet. Selection, and perhaps the early shape of Celtic’s season, rests on how quickly those sore bodies can respond.