Martin O’Neill has admitted Rangers looked physically stronger than Celtic during Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Ibrox.
O’Neill was asked afterwards why his side had struggled to make an impact on the game.
He said: (Celtic FC YouTube), “Domestically, it’s been good for us so far. I just thought we were second best.
“I thought that they looked physically stronger than us on the day and we need to do something about it. So it’s a combination of a number of things.”
That admission will only add to the discussion around Celtic’s midfield balance after a difficult afternoon at Ibrox.
Callum McGregor, Mika Baur and Benjamin Nygren started together in the middle of the pitch, but Rangers were able to impose themselves physically and gain control in an area where Celtic usually expect to dictate games.
It was not simply a case of Celtic struggling with the ball.
Rangers were quicker into challenges, stronger when possession became loose and better at forcing Celtic backwards when the game became stretched.
O’Neill also refused to remove himself from the criticism.
He added: “The first thing I have to do is look at my own performance for a start before I start talking about the team.”
The Celtic manager now has a major decision to make over how he responds.
The two sides meet again at Celtic Park next Sunday, meaning the problems exposed at Ibrox will still be fresh when Rangers arrive in Glasgow’s east end.
Celtic also have a Europa League fixture against Ferencváros in midweek, leaving O’Neill with limited training time to make changes.
The physical side of Celtic’s midfield has already become one of the biggest talking points from the defeat.
O’Neill’s own comments now make clear that the issue has been recognised inside the dressing room as well.
Rangers looked stronger, Celtic struggled to match them, and O’Neill believes something has to change before the teams meet again.
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