Ryan Naderi’s goal was enough to give Rangers victory over Celtic, marking Derek McInnes’ second win in a row against their city rivals , a feat no Rangers manager has pulled off since Graeme Souness way back in 1986. That’s a historic moment, and it tells you everything you need to know about where these two teams are headed.
McInnes Is Keeping It Cool, But Rangers Are Heating Up
You’d think McInnes would be screaming into a camera after a W like that, especially at Celtic Park! But nope, the man just shook Martin O’Neill’s hand and dipped out. He even said on the radio later that they weren’t going “overboard” after back-to-back wins, calling it “just three points” and adding they were “three points closer to Celtic.” Dude was 15 when Souness did this last, so talk about keeping it cool under pressure! Rangers were good, no doubt, and totally deserved the win. Could they have been *more* ruthless? Yeah, maybe, especially compared to last week at Ibrox. They won by a single goal, but their superiority on the field probably should’ve been a two-goal difference. Still, they got the W, and that newfound organization and vigor under McInnes is clearly showing up. They can absolutely be better, and they’re still winning.
O’Neill’s Celtic Is Spiraling Outta Control
Meanwhile, over in the green corner, Martin O’Neill is looking utterly beleaguered. He tried to say there was “not much between the sides,” but come on, nobody was buying that, not even their own fans. This team is physically weak, mentally substandard. They’ve lost that spark they had early in the season. Out-played, out-muscled, out-coached. Again. O’Neill’s got problems, and they’re just piling up every single game. His roster isn’t helping him either. No robust players in midfield because the board dropped the ball. No decent wingers like they used to have; now 35-year-old James Forrest is apparently their best option with Yang Hyun-jun out. And O’Neill’s own instincts? They’re just not there right now. Starting Sebastian Tounekti last week, putting Sam Johnstone in goal, giving Luke McCowan his first start of the season , all curious decisions that just backfired. That famed ability to problem-solve and inspire? Poof, gone.
This isn’t just one bad game for Celtic. This is their third straight poor loss, fourth in a month! That 5-1 Champions League meltdown against LASK, the 3-0 League Cup hammering, another beating in the Europa League against Ferencvaros… it feels like confidence, heart, and soul just vanished. The whole operation, from the board to the coaching to the players, looks totally humdrum and in desperate need of a mighty shake-up. O’Neill needs more from his assistants, or just better ones. Celtic fans are wondering aloud if the icon still has it in him, and right now, the answer isn’t looking good. What a mess.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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