Celtic fans are furious after Rangers manager Derek McInnes was reported to have launched a strong attack on Celtic and Martin O’Neill following the Hoops’ extraordinary Champions League collapse against LASK. The reaction has been intense, with supporters questioning whether McInnes should have been discussing Celtic at all when his own Rangers side are facing pressure of their own.
Celtic suffered one of the most painful European nights in recent memory on Tuesday, throwing away a four goal aggregate advantage against LASK. After winning the first leg 3-0 in Glasgow, Martin O’Neill’s side appeared to have the tie under control when Callum McGregor scored early in Austria to make it 4-0 on aggregate.
Instead, everything fell apart.
LASK produced an astonishing comeback, scoring five times to win 5-1 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate. The result ended Celtic’s Champions League dream and sent shockwaves throughout Scottish football.
O’Neill has accepted responsibility for the defeat, describing the collapse as one of the most painful moments of his Celtic tenure. Captain McGregor was equally critical, admitting that Celtic became passive and ultimately deserved the punishment they received.
However, according to the storyline surrounding McInnes’ reported comments, the Rangers boss has taken the opportunity to question Celtic’s mentality, preparation and leadership, with O’Neill particularly coming under scrutiny.
That has not gone down well with Celtic supporters.
Many fans believe McInnes should concentrate on fixing the problems at Ibrox rather than using Celtic’s European disaster as an opportunity to take shots at their biggest rivals. The Rangers boss has already experienced a difficult start to his tenure, including a home defeat to Hibernian, which left Rangers five points behind Celtic after three league matches.
That context has made the reported comments even more controversial.
One of the biggest criticisms from Celtic supporters is the perceived timing. Celtic have undoubtedly suffered a humiliating defeat, but the club remain Scottish champions and entered the Champions League play-offs after winning the first leg convincingly. Rangers, meanwhile, are also under pressure to establish themselves under a new manager.
For Celtic fans, therefore, McInnes’ comments feel less like constructive criticism and more like an attempt to exploit a painful moment.
“It’s a disgrace,” has effectively become the mood among supporters who believe Celtic’s humiliation should not become ammunition for Rangers.
There is also a wider debate about O’Neill. The experienced manager has only recently returned to the Celtic dugout, and despite the disastrous LASK result, his team had produced a commanding 3-0 first leg performance before collapsing in Austria. Celtic also started the Scottish Premiership campaign strongly, including a 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock earlier this month.
That makes the situation more complicated than simply blaming one individual.
O’Neill himself has accepted responsibility, meaning there has been no attempt to hide from the failure. His admission could actually strengthen his position with some supporters because it demonstrates that he understands the magnitude of what happened.
But Celtic fans now want action rather than words.
The defensive problems exposed by LASK, the failure to control the game after establishing a four goal advantage and the inability to respond when the Austrian side gained momentum will all be examined in the coming days.
The financial consequences are also enormous. Celtic were chasing the Champions League revenue that comes with qualification, but the collapse means they will once again have to compete in the Europa League. Reports have highlighted the significant financial cost of missing out on Europe’s premier club competition.
That is why supporters are demanding accountability from everyone involved.
Yet many believe accountability should remain an internal Celtic matter.
McInnes may have his own opinions about Celtic, but Rangers supporters will ultimately judge him on what happens at Ibrox. His team have already endured an uncomfortable beginning to the campaign, and the pressure will increase if results do not improve.
Celtic fans, meanwhile, have every right to be angry about their club’s collapse. Throwing away a four goal aggregate lead is almost impossible to explain, and the consequences will be felt for months.
But amid the anger, supporters will hope the LASK disaster becomes a turning point rather than the beginning of a crisis.
O’Neill has admitted his responsibility. McGregor has demanded accountability from the players. Now Celtic must respond on the pitch.
And as for McInnes, his reported attack has only added another layer to an already explosive Scottish football story.
The next Old Firm meeting will undoubtedly provide the ultimate answer.
For now, Celtic fans are furious, Rangers have their own problems to solve, and the fallout from one of the most astonishing European collapses in Celtic’s history is showing no sign of disappearing.