‘I was told…’: Paul Slane reveals what O’Neill said at Celtic before Rangers’ second spell of dominance”

Martin O’Neill is under growing pressure at Celtic following two damaging defeats against Rangers before the international break. While the Hoops have struggled to deliver convincing performances, Derek McInnes has finally found a winning formula at Ibrox, transforming his side’s fortunes after a difficult start to his tenure.

Rangers have made significant progress by adjusting their tactical approach, with the return to a two-striker system and James Penrice moving from left-back into midfield during matches proving particularly effective. Those changes have helped McInnes establish a more balanced and dangerous team capable of challenging Celtic.

The improvements were evident when Rangers defeated Celtic 3-0 in the Premier Sports Cup at Ibrox before following up with a 1-0 Scottish Premiership victory at Celtic Park. The results represented a major boost for the Gers while leaving O’Neill facing uncomfortable questions about his team’s direction.

Between those two Old Firm encounters, Celtic also suffered a home defeat against Ferencvaros in the Europa League. The three consecutive losses have increased concerns among supporters, with Rangers appearing to gain confidence at precisely the moment their rivals are struggling.

However, former Celtic midfielder Paul Slane has now revealed what he was reportedly told about O’Neill’s comments following the European disappointment and before the second meeting with Rangers.

What did Martin O’Neill reportedly say before facing Rangers?

Celtic entered the return Old Firm fixture needing a response after being comprehensively beaten at Ibrox. The opening encounter had exposed weaknesses throughout the team, with Rangers dominating key areas and taking full advantage of their opponents’ shortcomings.

O’Neill responded by adopting a more defensive formation for the match at Celtic Park. The Hoops lined up with five defenders and no conventional wingers, seemingly attempting to prevent Rangers from exploiting the spaces that had caused problems during their previous meeting.

However, the tactical switch failed to deliver the improvement Celtic desperately needed.

Rangers continued to compete aggressively and maintained their defensive discipline before Ryan Naderi scored the decisive goal. The strike secured another victory for the Ibrox side and left Celtic facing further criticism after losing to their fiercest rivals for the second time in quick succession.

The defeat was especially painful because it followed their disappointing European performance against Ferencvaros. With three consecutive losses behind them, Celtic were struggling to demonstrate the consistency expected of a team competing for domestic honours.

Speaking on the Open Goal podcast, Slane revealed information he had received about O’Neill’s intentions after the European match.

“I was told that after the European game, Martin O’Neill said he’s now going to do it his way,” Slane explained.

However, the former Celtic player expressed doubts about whether the team could continue playing as they had against Rangers.

He suggested that the performance was so disappointing that he questioned whether Celtic could afford to approach future matches in the same manner.

Slane’s comments have added another layer to the debate surrounding O’Neill’s tactical decisions and the uncertainty currently affecting the Scottish champions.

Rangers have discovered a winning formula

While Celtic have endured a difficult spell, Rangers have enjoyed a remarkable improvement under McInnes.

The Ibrox side have won six consecutive matches across all competitions, keeping five clean sheets during that run. Their defensive resilience has been a major factor in their recovery, providing a solid foundation for their attacking players to make the difference.

The decision to return to a two-striker formation has also improved Rangers’ attacking threat. Meanwhile, Penrice’s movement from left-back into midfield has offered McInnes additional tactical flexibility and helped the team function more effectively.

Those adjustments have proved particularly valuable against Celtic, with Rangers demonstrating their ability to dominate one encounter and secure a narrow victory in the next.

The 3-0 cup triumph showcased their attacking power, while the subsequent 1-0 league win demonstrated their ability to remain organised and protect an important result away from home.

For Rangers supporters, the consecutive Old Firm victories represent a significant turnaround after the uncertainty surrounding the team’s earlier performances.

Celtic face a difficult period under O’Neill

Celtic, meanwhile, must find a way to stop their losing streak before the situation deteriorates further.

O’Neill has faced considerable scrutiny during the international break, with questions raised about his tactical choices, the team’s confidence and his ability to restore their previous standards.

Despite the criticism, the Celtic manager has confirmed that he is not planning to walk away from his position.

Nevertheless, the upcoming schedule offers little room for complacency. Celtic are preparing to face Motherwell, Benfica and Hearts, three fixtures that could prove important in determining whether they can recover their momentum.

O’Neill will need to improve the team’s performances and find a more effective approach if Celtic are to avoid further setbacks.

The challenge extends beyond simply collecting points. Celtic must also demonstrate that they can compete physically and tactically against strong opposition, particularly after Rangers exposed their weaknesses in consecutive meetings.

Rangers close the gap in Scotland’s title race

McInnes will be encouraged by the progress his team has made, especially after reducing the gap separating the two Glasgow clubs.

Rangers remain two points behind league leaders Celtic, but their recent winning streak has placed them in a much stronger position. Before the second Old Firm encounter, they were five points behind, making their subsequent progress particularly significant.

With a potentially favourable run of fixtures ahead, Rangers have an opportunity to maintain their momentum and put additional pressure on Celtic.

However, they must continue producing consistent performances if they are to move above their rivals and strengthen their title challenge.

For Celtic, the immediate priority is to end the run of defeats and restore confidence before more points slip away.

Slane’s revelation about O’Neill’s reported comments has intensified the discussion about the manager’s approach. Whether his determination to follow his own methods will bring improvement remains uncertain.

With Rangers gaining confidence and Celtic facing a demanding schedule, the coming weeks could prove crucial in shaping the Premiership title race.