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Martin O'Neill tells Celtic to 'rise above' Rangers defeat ahead of Parkhead rematch

The Celtic boss has urged his players to respond to their 3-0 Ibrox defeat as Rangers prepare for Sunday's Old Firm rematch.
ByJack Cranmer
Rangers v Celtic - Premier Sports Cup - Quarter Final - Ibrox Stadium
Rangers v Celtic - Premier Sports Cup - Quarter Final - Ibrox Stadium | Steve Welsh - PA Images/GettyImages

Martin O'Neill has apparently already moved on from Celtic's 3-0 thrashing by Rangers as the Hoops boss looks ahead to Sunday's Old Firm return fixture at Parkhead.

Derek McInnes' Rangers produced a stunning performance at Ibrox on Sunday, sweeping aside their city rivals with Dan Neil scoring twice and Kevin Kelsy adding a third to send the former Hearts boss' side into the Premier Sports’ Cup semi-finals.

It was a statement result for the Gers, and one which leaves Celtic with plenty to fix before the sides meet again just seven days later, this time in the Scottish Premiership and this time at Celtic Park.

But O'Neill has made it clear that his players cannot dwell on the defeat.

The Celtic boss was speaking to the club's official channel ahead of Thursday night's European clash with Ferencvaros, but his comments also offered an insight into how he expects his side to respond when Rangers arrive at Parkhead.

“We've had the setback on Sunday, something that you have to, first of all, look at it,” O'Neill said.

“Then you have to hurt a bit. You have to hurt a lot, I think.

“That's the way that I spent my career. I probably overindulged in the hurting aspect of the game, but the games have to hurt you both as a player and as a manager.

“After that, then you go and rise above it again.”

That is precisely what Celtic will have to do if they are to prevent Rangers from completing an Old Firm back-to-back double.

The gulf between the teams at Ibrox was significant, with McInnes' side controlling the contest and punishing Celtic's mistakes.

Now Rangers have the opportunity to repeat the feat on Celtic's own patch.

Rangers v Celtic - Premier Sports Cup - Quarter Final - Ibrox Stadium
Rangers v Celtic - Premier Sports Cup - Quarter Final - Ibrox Stadium | Andrew Milligan - PA Images/GettyImages

O'Neill already looking towards Sunday's rematch

O'Neill knows there is no point allowing the Ibrox result to consume his players, particularly with another huge Old Firm fixture approaching.

The Celtic boss believes difficult defeats can ultimately define players and managers by how they respond.

“That defines you as much as anything else,” he said.

“There’s a big game coming up on Thursday, big, big game on Sunday, then international break and it gives you a chance for the non-international players to take stock of what's happened and say, well, listen, what can I do?

“What can I do better?

“What can I do now to help the team? What can I do to help myself?”

The immediate challenge is Ferencvaros, but Sunday is clearly the bigger domestic storyline for both Glasgow sides.

Celtic will have the backing of their home support this time, while Rangers will be without their travelling support and face a completely different atmosphere from the one which helped make Ibrox so hostile last weekend.

O'Neill's comments suggest he expects Celtic to use that environment to their advantage.

However, Rangers will head into the fixture knowing exactly what they are capable of after dismantling Celtic in the first meeting.

Kevin Kelsy
Rangers v Celtic - Premier Sports Cup | Ian MacNicol/GettyImages

Rangers have chance to make another statement

The second Old Firm clash offers McInnes' side an opportunity to prove Sunday's result was no one-off.

Celtic can point to the change of venue, the home crowd and the prospect of making adjustments, but Rangers will have their own confidence boosted by the emphatic nature of their Ibrox victory.

O'Neill admitted that getting Celtic off to a positive start in their upcoming fixtures would be important.

“Well, that would be nice,” he said. “And then after that, you can concentrate again on Sunday.”

For the Rangers support, that is the key takeaway.

Celtic's manager may be refusing to dwell on the 3-0 defeat but his side now have just one week to find a response before McInnes' Rangers come calling again.

Following Sunday's demolition, it is Celtic who have to prove they can handle the Old Firm pressure.

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