Celtic lost to Rangers again, raising concerns ahead of international break

Celtic faced a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Rangers, marking their second loss to their rivals in just eight days. The team also suffered a setback in the Europa League against Ferencvaros, leaving them only two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. This recent string of losses has raised concerns about Celtic's performance as they head into the international break, with Rangers demonstrating their potential to mount a serious challenge this season.

Neil Lennon, the former Celtic manager, expressed that the upcoming break is an opportunity for the team to 'reset'. While he acknowledges the need for reflection, Martin O'Neill, another Sky Sports pundit, downplayed the significance of the defeats, stating that they are not a 'disaster'. O'Neill believes that despite the tough week, Celtic has the history and resilience to bounce back from these challenges.

The analysis from pundits highlighted a significant gap in performance between the two teams. Lennon noted that Rangers displayed superior physicality and footballing ability, particularly in the second half, where Celtic appeared disjointed. He remarked that all of the standout players were in Rangers' blue shirts, indicating a clear dominance in the match.

Chris Sutton, another former Celtic player, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the stark contrast in performance levels. He suggested that the defeat was one of the worst Celtic had experienced at home against Rangers. Sutton pointed out that Celtic's approach seemed improvised, leading to a lack of cohesion on the pitch during crucial moments of the match.

Kris Boyd, a Sky Sports analyst, praised Rangers for their commanding performance, suggesting that the scoreline could have been more decisive. He remarked on the lack of impact from Celtic's substitutes and expressed concern over the current state of the team, indicating that they are facing significant challenges ahead. The pundits' assessments suggest a pressing need for Celtic to address their issues during the upcoming break.

via Sky Sports