Martin O’Neill insisted Celtic must remain fully focused despite moving to the brink of another Scottish Premiership title following Sunday’s 3-1 derby victory over theRangers.
The win over their rivals strengthened Celtic’s position heading into the final week of the campaign, with the Hoops now just two wins away from being crowned champions once again.
Despite the significance of the result, O’Neill stressed there was no room for complacency with two decisive fixtures still to come.
‘Momentum can be shifted at any given moment,’ O’Neill plays down title talk
“People have said to me about momentum, and I think momentum can get shifted at any given moment. We’re doing fine,” O’Neill explained via Celtic’s official YouTube channel.
“We’re really doing fine in the games. We’re just trying to find a way to win. Today was obviously special against Rangers. But it’s eventually, in the scheme of things, just three points.”
Attention now turns to a difficult trip to Fir Park on Wednesday evening before Celtic host league leaders Hearts in what could prove to be a title-deciding encounter on the final day of the season.
A trip to Fir Park awaits for the penultimate league game of the season
“We know what’s ahead of us now at this minute,” O’Neill added. “Wednesday will be really tough. I think that was shown from Saturday night.
“I think the run that we’re on gives us confidence to go and compete. And also the fact that we’ve come from behind today as well.
“I know we’re at home, [but] the crowd were brilliant for us. To come from behind against Rangers and play in the manner in which we did, particularly in the second half, that should give us a boost.”
Six wins on the bounce for the first time since 2024
Celtic’s victory extended their winning streak to six matches – their best run since late 2024 under Brendan Rodgers – although performances during that spell have often required resilience more than flair.
O’Neill admitted aesthetics were secondary to collecting points during the title run-in “How often do you get freedom? You have to win football matches here. You have to dig it out,” he said.
“And people were talking about the four goals that we scored in extra time against St Mirren. It’s been part of the Celtic thing. But we’ve had to work for that. We’ve really had to work for it. This is the whole point. And today I thought there was some fabulous stuff being played.
“The crowd, of course, played a big part. I thought they were really terrific. They carried us along at a time when Rangers were in the ascendancy. But, the criticism, I’m not worried.
“It would be nice to start a season, get your own thoughts together, your own plans, all that type of stuff. And lay out plans for the whole season. It wasn’t to be.”
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1 Comment
In the context of things, MoN is of course correct in saying its only another 3 points within the title race?
In reality, we all know that it’s far bigger than just 3 points.
First off, it means CL qualification games are going to be on offer next season regardless of what route involved. A major setback for them, especially for the potential quality of player, that will be available now, within the transfer market?
Second off, it confirms that 5 wins after the split is going to be enough to win yet another title.
Personally thought that the minis would have dropped more than just 2 points after the split, but wasn’t to be the case.
Looked like goal difference could decide the outcome of the title race, never really thought it would come down to that myself, but still remains a possibility?
Very doubtful that we will have the advantage of any drawn result next Saturday, which still remains in the hands of the minis at this stage?
Personally prefer to be in our position of just going out and winning our own games, and not having to give any consideration to what is going on elsewhere.
Of course that won’t happen, but only becomes relevant within the minis match?
Couldn’t care less myself, as the only focus for myself anyway, is getting the winning result at motherwell on Wednesday.
Apart from that, nothing else really matters imo?