Martin O’Neill tells Celtic players Rangers pain must ‘define’ them ahead of huge week | OneFootball

Martin O’Neill has urged his Celtic players to use the pain of their Rangers defeat as motivation ahead of two significant fixtures.

The Hoops suffered a bruising 3-0 defeat at Ibrox on Sunday and now have an immediate opportunity to respond, with European action on Thursday followed by another Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park.

Reflecting on the weekend setback, O’Neill insists defeats should hurt players and managers before they can move forward.

He said via Celtic Player: “We’ve had the setback on Sunday, something that you have to, first of all, look at it. 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 defines you as much as anything else.”

O’Neill believes the upcoming international break will also provide those remaining at Lennoxtown with an opportunity to reflect on how they can improve.

He added: “A big game coming up on Thursday, a big, big game on Sunday, then an 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? Obviously, if you can do those things, then you’re going to help the club.”

Before turning his attention to football matters, O’Neill also paid tribute to Celtic legend Danny McGrain following the announcement of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

O’Neill worked alongside McGrain during his first spell as Celtic manager and spoke warmly about both the former defender’s ability and character.

He said: “Danny was here at Celtic working with the reserves when I came here in my first spell, but just a phenomenal footballer and a really great character.”

The Celtic boss added: “He was just a brilliant player, a great defender, and certainly going forward, he could cause havoc.”

Attention now turns to Thursday’s European assignment, where O’Neill hopes Celtic can quickly put the Ibrox disappointment behind them before another meeting with Rangers on Sunday.

He said: “It’d be nice to get off to a decent start. It won’t be easy. Nothing is, I don’t think. Nor should it be, really.

“At the end of the day, it’s a European game. Hopefully, we can be up for the game and be ready for the game and then after that, you can concentrate then on Sunday.”

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