“It’s a setback, but that’s what it is. We’re far from finished,” Martin O’Neill

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·22 février 2026

“It’s a setback, but that’s what it is. We’re far from finished,” Martin O’Neill

Martin O’Neill spoke to the mainstream media at Celtic Park this afternoon after his Celtic side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Hibs which has put a dent into our title hopes, however Celtic are far from out of it…

22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Martin O’Neill. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

Q: Thoughts on the performance and today’s game?

Vidéos OneFootball

Martin O’Neill: “I thought we played some really fantastic football. We’ve gone in one each at half-time, we probably should have been in front at that stage. But the sending off obviously had a big effect, we had all the momentum at that stage. We had some chances in the second half, and obviously, if you don’t put them away, there’s always a possibility of a goal at the other end.”

Q: What did you make the red card?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, I’ve just had a word with the referee, and he said that he was going to just have a word with the two players, first of all, then I think VAR intervened and said that it was violent conduct.”

22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Referee Matthew MacDermid conveys his VAR decision on Auston Trusty red card. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO.

Q: Is that a case of VAR re-refereeing the game, do you think?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, they’ve been doing it for years now, so that’s not going to change.

22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Liam Scales rages at Matthew MacDermid after being fouled at a corner but no penalty given. Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

Q: What did you make a potential penalty shout that Liam Scales had?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, the referee said, I think his words were that he didn’t hold on to him long enough. But it seems a wee bit strange. You know, if you’re grabbing somebody’s shirt and he’s making a move to try and get the ball, and you’re holding on to his shirt, I thought that was… it was some years ago, it was a penalty some years ago, but I don’t know. VAR, I think they passed that one on, so there we go.”

Q: Did you speak to Auston after?

Martin O’Neill: “Yeah, I’ve spoken to him. At the end of it all, you can’t do this. These are the rules now. It doesn’t matter whether somebody’s holding on to you at all. In an attempt to break away, you can’t, I think, thrust down in the manner in which he did. So I’ve been told that’s called violent conduct.

Q: How big a blow is that, with obviously massive games coming up in the next couple of weeks?

Martin O’Neill: “Obviously, it’s a setback, but that’s what it is. We’re far from finished.”

22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Matthew MacDermid Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

Q: Just to be clear, you’re not going to appeal the Trusty red card?

Martin O’Neill: “Personally, I wouldn’t have thought so myself. I don’t know what is there. I don’t know. Obviously, the referee has explained to me that that’s what VAR said was violent conduct. I don’t think anybody’s going to change their minds about that.”

Q: How do you view the title race now, Martin?

Martin O’Neill: “It’s tough. It’s a setback for us. We are six points behind Hearts. I think I’ve said to you every single week here, domestically anyway, that it’s a tough ask for us, but we’re still there fighting.

22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Daizen Maeda dejection after Hibs second goal. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

Q: Is that the thing, Martin? There’s going to be tos and fros?

Martin O’Neill: “I think so, yeah. I don’t know what happened today, but I felt that this game was always going to be difficult for us anyway. Hibs are a fine side. I think that they were unlucky not to get something in the derby game against Hearts, conceded very late on. I think you saw Livingston get a result today against (the)Rangers. The games are difficult. I knew that this was to be. I think it’s a game that we could, and maybe on the balance of play, we should have won. We had a lot of possession. A lot of good stuff we played. That’s fine. Possession eventually does not win you a football match.”

Q: At 1-1 each, the stadium seemed to be together, especially when word got through about (the)Rangers?

Martin O’Neill: “I thought they were just willing us on to get another goal. I didn’t realise that that’s maybe what they heard. I didn’t know anything about theRangers result until the end of our game, and it was still going on. I thought the support was terrific. Absolutely. If you tell me that was the reason for it, it might have been. I think the fans realise that this has been a difficult season. Really difficult. We’re fighting. If we show the same sort of application as we did today, I think we’ll still be in contention. I think you make a good point.”

22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Kieran Tiierney. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

Q: It’s hard mentally and physically isn’t it?

Martin O’Neill: “It is tough. When you’re in charge of the game and you’re pressing and you’re pressing, you’re likely to take a few chances at the other end. Even with the 10 men we’re still pressing, the minute that somebody breaks your press, then you are in danger because the extra man helps. But that’s the nature of it. I definitely cannot fault the players in terms of effort and drive and determination. It wasn’t to be. It’s not over yet.”

Q: Have you thought about your team for games ahead?

Martin O’Neill: “I know what you’re going to say. I’ll think about that for tomorrow. We’ll see about prioritising that.”

Q: You kept Kasper Schmeichel after Thursday night. How difficult a decision was that?

Martin O’Neill: “Kasper has been a really fine goalkeeper. He’s been a member of a side that won the Premier League way back. Like everything else, you can’t rest on laurels for the rest of your life. Everybody moves on. But it wasn’t a big, big decision for me. I think I sat here on Thursday evening and said, he’s made some big saves for us. And he made a big save when we were 1-0 down as well. So he came out, and he did fine. But I think that competition for places is something that should apply to everybody. Goalkeepers and outfield players. But I thought he showed some character today.”

Q: Joel Mvuka left out of the squad again today. Is he still building up to be available?

Martin O’Neill: “I think it’s just getting used to the environment. These lads have played decent grades of football before. But it’s the intensity here at this minute. And some players, like James Forrest, have been used to that sort of intensity. So we’ll see. We’ll definitely make a few changes for Thursday evening. And we’ll take it from there.”

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order