Celtic back O'Neill after painful derby defeat to Rangers

Celtic have backed manager Martin O'Neill after a painful week ended with a 1-0 derby defeat to Rangers at Celtic Park.

Chief executive Michael Nicholson said the club will come together and support O'Neill and the players. His message came in Celtic's annual financial results, published on 22 September 2026, which described the last week of defeats as painful for everyone at the club, according to BBC Sport.

O'Neill cast doubt on his own future after that derby loss. The 74-year-old said "it might be time to wrap it up" and indicated he would use the coming international break, a pause in club football for national-team games, to consider what comes next.

It was Celtic's third defeat in quick succession. They lost twice to Rangers either side of a home defeat to Ferencvaros in the Europa League, Europe's second-tier club competition.

That run has put the spotlight on a manager with deep history at the club. O'Neill has won nine trophies across two spells in charge at Celtic Park.

Nicholson also spoke directly to supporters. "We all want the best for Celtic," he said while backing O'Neill, according to the Daily Record.

The results statement paired that football pain with difficult numbers off the pitch. Celtic reported revenue down by nearly £33m and a £4.8m loss, largely because the club failed to reach last season's Champions League, Europe's top club competition.

Celtic missed out after losing a play-off tie with Austrian side LASK despite holding a 4-0 aggregate lead, the combined score over two legs. Nicholson said reaching the league phase of the Champions League is an objective for the club and apologised for not achieving it, as set out in the club's stock exchange announcement.

For fans, this means a short wait for clarity. O'Neill's words sounded like a farewell, the board's words sounded like backing, and the international break now gives both sides room to decide what happens next.