Celtic suffered another frustrating cup exit on Sunday afternoon as Rangers earned a commanding 3-0 victory at Ibrox to advance to the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals. The loss deepened concerns surrounding Celtic’s performance in knockout ties, coming on the heels of their dramatic Champions League collapse against LASK.
Key Match Moments
- 22 Minutes: Dan Neil opened the scoring for Rangers, capitalizing on slack defending to fire past the Celtic goalkeeper.
- 58 Minutes: Kevin Kelsy doubled the hosts’ advantage with a calm finish just before the hour mark.
- 75 Minutes: Dan Neil claimed his second of the afternoon with a strike that put the contest completely out of reach.
O’Neill Clashes Over ‘Mentality’ Questions
Despite Celtic maintaining a perfect record in their first six league matches, the manner of this defeat triggered sharp scrutiny. The atmosphere grew tense during manager Martin O’Neill’s post-match interview with Premier Sports, where the 74-year-old took issue with repeated questions regarding his squad’s psychological fortitude.
When pressed on whether the loss was down to tactics or mentality, O’Neill resisted placing sole blame on his players’ mindset. He highlighted basic technical errors instead, noting that a high volume of misplaced passes during periods of good possession disrupted their game plan.
When the interviewer cited the earlier European exit and suggested supporters anticipated a victory, O’Neill rejected the premise that a win at Ibrox is ever guaranteed. He pointed out the challenge of playing in a hostile environment without travelling supporters, while defending his team’s strong domestic run.
Immediate Opportunity for Revenge
Celtic will not have to wait long to respond to the setback. The two side-by-side rivals clash again next weekend in Scottish Premiership action at Parkhead, giving Celtic a quick opportunity to halt Rangers’ momentum and restore confidence among their support.
where’s the interview??