Derek McInnes gives scathing Celtic verdict following heavy defeat

Derek McInnes’ assessment of Celtic before Sunday’s Old Firm clash proved particularly striking after Rangers swept aside their rivals with a convincing 3–0 victory in the Premier Sports Cup.

The defeat was another painful setback for the Hoops, who had already endured a major disappointment in Europe after surrendering a 4–0 advantage against LASK in their Champions League qualifying campaign. Rather than competing in the Champions League, Celtic now face a season in the Europa League.

Sunday’s performance offered little evidence that those earlier concerns had been resolved. Rangers were comfortably the better side at Ibrox, creating repeated opportunities and exposing weaknesses in Celtic’s defensive structure.

The Hoops struggled to impose themselves in possession and appeared short of answers when Rangers increased the pressure. For a club expected to challenge for trophies and make an impact in Europe, the display raised serious questions about the team’s preparation, organisation and identity.

Those concerns could also reignite frustration among Celtic supporters. Fans staged protests against the club’s board last season, and another disappointing campaign could bring renewed pressure if performances fail to improve.

The issue is not simply the Champions League collapse or the heavy defeat to Rangers. It is the recurring nature of Celtic’s problems, with opponents continuing to find opportunities too easily and players appearing uncertain of their responsibilities.

McInnes had already offered his view on Celtic’s situation before the match. Speaking to Premier Sports, he praised Martin O’Neill’s influence, saying: “Everything that’s said about Martin is absolutely right. He’s brought calmness to the club when the club was a mess.”

O’Neill may have helped restore a degree of stability, but the result at Ibrox demonstrated that Celtic still have significant work to do.

With the season only in September, the warning signs are already difficult to overlook. A European collapse followed by a humiliating Old Firm defeat has left Celtic facing serious questions about their direction and ability to compete at the level expected of them.