Celtic coach O'Neill hails Old Firm derby as 'must win'

Celtic have won their last six games in the Scottish Premiership, but recent defeats have put their position under challenge. O'Neill believes this match could be important in determining the direction of the season, but it should not be seen as a 'must-win'.

Why it matters

The Old Firm derby is an important part of Scottish Premiership football, reflecting the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers. The result of this match will not only impact the points table but will also affect the morale of both the teams and the direction of the season. Celtic have faced some difficulties recently against Rangers, which makes this match even more important.

Key points

• Celtic coach O'Neill hails Old Firm derby as 'must win'.
• Celtic coach Martin O'Neill discussed the importance of the Old Firm derby and said it should not be seen as a must-win..
• 'Too early' to describe Old Firm derby as must-win, says Celtic boss O'Neill - SoccerNews.

Celtic coach Martin O'Neill says this Sunday's Old Firm derby should not be seen as a 'must-win'. At the start of the current season, Celtic have won their last six games in the Scottish Premiership, but their form in other competitions has not been as good. Last week they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Rangers in the League Cup, followed by a 3-1 defeat against Ferencvaros in the Europa League.

Celtic have won six of their last eight home matches against Rangers and can open up an eight-point lead over their rivals if they win this match. However, O'Neill believes that if the result is negative it will not be a huge blow to their season. He said, "No, it is not right to call it a necessary win at the beginning of this season. It would be good if we win, because with that we can take an eight-point lead. At the moment we have won the last six league matches. This match is big, whether it is in September or March.

“We have to be ready for this game. Do we need to win this match? It would be nice to win; It won't be good if we lose. This will be our third consecutive defeat and it will be damaging for us psychologically."

Although O'Neill has faced criticism from some Celtic fans in recent times, he acknowledged that the questions from fans and pundits are mainly fair. He said, "It's the nature of the game. I get a little agitated sometimes. Sometimes I have to apologize for it. I said that when we win matches we are not asked questions. But everyone has the right to ask questions. Ultimately I am responsible for the team selection, I am responsible for the strategy, and of course I should face questions."

On the last two occasions in the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic, Rangers have won both matches consecutively. This will be only the second time that back-to-back matches between Rangers and Celtic have resulted in both wins. Rangers coach Derrick McInnes can become only the second coach to win both of his first Old Firm derbies against Celtic. "Sometimes tactics are given a little too much importance. You usually win matches through individual moments and players' performances. You can only win if everyone plays well. So, we have to try to bring similar performances and look for improvement again," he said.

What will happen next

Celtic will now look to secure a win against Rangers in their next match to open up an eight-point lead over their rivals in the Scottish Premiership. However, coach O'Neill downplayed the importance of this match, saying that the loss would not have a major impact on the season. Celtic's consecutive wins early this season have given them confidence, but they also need to improve in other competitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will be the score of the Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers?

Score is not mentioned in this article.

What is Celtic's current position in the Scottish Premiership?

Celtic have won their last six league matches and can extend their lead to eight points if they win against Rangers.

When is Celtic's next match?

The next match is the Old Firm derby, which takes place this Sunday.

Celtic

In which competition did he face defeat recently?

Celtic lost 3-0 to Rangers in the League Cup last week and also lost 3-1 to Ferencvaros in the Europa League.

How did Martin O'Neill view the Old Firm derby?

O'Neill did not see it as a 'must win', but he said it would be nice to win.

Related Articles

• Bossia Dortmund coach Kovac scored three against Stuttgart
• Manchester City beats Norwich City 5-0, young defender
• Ramis defends Sergio Herrera: "Fire in doubt or situation"