Martin O'Neill said Celtic are "raring to go" ahead of Sunday's Rangers match, insisting confidence remains high despite three consecutive defeats. The manager acknowledged crowd frustration over the team's ponderous build-up play but believes a victory would extend Celtic's lead at the top of the league.
Match news
O'Neill: Confidence far from rock bottom
Martin O'Neill spoke to the media on Friday 18 September ahead of Sunday's Rangers match, saying the team is "raring to go" despite consecutive defeats to Rangers (3-0) and Ferencvaros (3-1). O'Neill stated that confidence is "far from rock bottom" and that "if we can win this, we can extend the lead. If we don't, going into the international break, we're still going to be in front." He acknowledged the crowd's frustration with the team's build-up play and said he wants Celtic to be "a bit more inventive".
Rangers travel to Celtic Park on Sunday 20 September at 12:00 UK time for a Premiership clash. Celtic currently lead Rangers 18 points to 13 in the table. Victory for Celtic would extend their advantage to eight points, while a third successive defeat would allow Rangers to move within two points. Sky Sports will broadcast the match live.
Alistair Johnston (hamstring), Callum Osmand (ankle), and Filipe Jota (ACL) remain sidelined. Yang Hyun-jun is away at the Asian Games until 3 October. Camilo Duran is a major doubt due to visa issues. Kasper Høgh and Kieran Tierney have been progressing from groin problems and remain potential options for Sunday.
Source: Sports Mole, Scotsman
Club news
Board refresh announced
Celtic announced on Thursday the appointments of Mark Keane and Raymond Buchanan as non-executive directors. Keane, 55, founder of Slievemore investment office and a major shareholder, takes up his position immediately. Buchanan, 49, joins following his current role as Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water.
Fan channels analysed O'Neill's Friday comments with mixed reactions. While some took confidence from the manager's assertion that the team is "raring to go" and that belief remains intact, others on The Celtic Star and Celtic Quick News questioned whether words would translate to performance on the pitch. The consensus reflected broader tension between O'Neill's measured optimism and supporters' desire for visible tactical improvement.
Source: The Celtic Star, Celtic Quick News
Rangers match is season-defining
Fan channels across 67 Hail Hail, Video Celts and Celtic News Now framed Sunday's derby as pivotal. One prevailing sentiment: consecutive defeats have heaped pressure on O'Neill, and a third loss would shift the narrative significantly. A victory, however, would ease the mood and provide momentum heading into the international break.
Source: 67 Hail Hail, Video Celts, Celtic News Now
O'Neill must show tactical flexibility
Celtic Way and Read Celtic noted O'Neill's acknowledgement of crowd frustration over the team's ponderous build-up play. Supporter commentary emphasised that O'Neill's stated desire to be "a bit more inventive" needed to manifest tactically—not just rhetorically—against Rangers. One recurring theme: the problem is identifiable, so fans expect to see concrete solutions rather than reiteration of familiar patterns.
Source: Celtic Way, Read Celtic
Next up
Celtic v Rangers — Premiership — Sunday 20 September at 12:00 — home — live on Sky Sports
Motherwell v Celtic — Premiership — Sunday 11 October at 12:00 — away
Celtic v Hearts — Premiership — Sunday 18 October at 15:00 — home
Last time out
Falkirk 2–1 Hearts — William Hill Premiership — 2026-09-15
Hibernian 0–1 Kilmarnock — William Hill Premiership — 2026-09-15
Motherwell 0–4 Aberdeen — William Hill Premiership — 2026-09-15
Who's out
Alistair Johnston — Hamstring — Out — Out for Rangers match on Sunday 20 September.
Callum Osmand — Ankle — Out — Out for Rangers match on Sunday 20 September.
Filipe Jota — ACL — Out — Contact training progressing; expected return in October.
Yang Hyun-Jun — International duty — Out — Away with South Korea at Asian Games until 3 October.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain — Suspension — Out — Red card suspension from previous club carries over.
Camilo Duran — Visa/Administrative — Doubt — Major doubt for Rangers match due to visa issues requiring travel to London.
Kieran Tierney — Groin — Doubt — Progressing from injury; status uncertain for Rangers match on Sunday.
Kasper Høgh — Groin — Doubt — Progressing well from groin problem; potential option for Rangers match.