Celtic's Response After Rangers Defeat: O'Neill Promises Improvement

Martin O'Neill has promised Celtic will “get ourselves right” as the Scottish champions try to shake off the bruises of their 3-0 humiliation by Rangers and reset their season in Europe.

The derby defeat at Ibrox on Sunday was as meek as the scoreline was brutal, piling pressure on O'Neill and a squad still learning the weight of Old Firm expectations. Now comes Ferencvaros at Parkhead in Thursday’s Europa League opener, with another meeting with Rangers looming in the Premiership on Sunday. Two games. One furious fanbase. Very little margin for error.

“Every game that Celtic lose, there's a crisis, and of course even bigger if you lose to Rangers, so we've done enough talking about it,” O'Neill said on Wednesday, his tone making clear the inquest is over and the response must start on the pitch.

“Our players are disappointed with the performance, we could have done better, I think we accept that, and we just apply ourselves now again for the league fixtures.”

The manner of the loss has stung as much as the result. Celtic looked flat, second best in the duels and strangely subdued in a fixture that usually crackles with their intensity. O'Neill, in his second full-time spell in charge, did not attempt to dress it up.

“We were disappointed ourselves, we disappointed the fans and now we just have to rise to the occasion,” he admitted. “We've got two matches in which to do so before the break. Two big games for us, Ferencvaros will not be easy, but we've done it before, we'll get ourselves right.”

Ferencvaros arrive as awkward guests. Seasoned European campaigners, capable of punishing any hangover from Sunday. For Celtic, the tie doubles as a test of character and a chance to change the mood before Rangers walk out at Parkhead at the weekend.

Five of O'Neill’s starters at Ibrox were tasting an Old Firm clash for the first time. The 74-year-old knows that baptism can be unforgiving.

“I think it was an eye opener to some of the newer lads,” he said. “We've got to find out about players, about whether they're capable of dealing with these games. Hopefully, over the course of time, they will be.”

Time, though, is rarely a luxury at Celtic. With Europe under the lights and Rangers back on the horizon, O’Neill’s side must show, immediately, that Sunday was a jolt – not the start of a slide.