Martin O’Neill fires back on Rohl’s Celtic comments ahead of Glasgow Derby | OneFootball

Martin O’Neill has issued a response to Danny Rohl after the Ibrox manager made remarks in the media about how CELTIC should be playing in Europe…

Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates scoring during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between VfB Stuttgart and Celtic FC at Stuttgart Arena on February 26, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

Speaking yesterday afternoon after Celtic secured a 1-0 Europa League victory against VfB Stuttgart – with his team already knocked out of Europe – Rohl was asked about Luke McCowan’s post-match assertion that “no team in that league touches us” during his pre-match media briefing.

Rohl said as his pre-match media conference: “I think at the moment we are in the second position, they are behind us. I think they have, at the moment, seven or eight defeats. Yeah, I think in general it makes no sense to speak too much about the other side; we have to focus on ourselves.”

“We want to win this game. I see my team is ready to take points, and then we’ll see on Sunday, hopefully both teams try everything, and I’m confident that we have a big chance of winning this game.”

Bizarrely, the German added: “I was a little bit surprised after 1-0 that they’re not trying to win this game, 2-0, 3-0, to have a chance. They keep the result until the end, I think they’re just a little bit apart.”

O’Neill admitted he was taken aback by Rohl’s comments and addressed the issue when speaking to reporters at his own mainstream media conference.

Celtic Manager Martin O Neill waves to fans. Stuttgart v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Knockout Round Play Offs, Second Leg, Football, MHP Arena, Stuttgart, Germany – 26 Feb 2026Stuttgart MHP Arena Germany Photo James Marsh Shutterstock

“He said what?” O’Neill responded. “He felt we didn’t try to win the tie? “He wants to be involved in some of these games! I never saw it like that.”

“We were driven back. Stuttgart are a very good team; they’re in the top four in the Bundesliga. So yeah, I’m surprised he made a comment like that.”

Luke McCowan of Celtic reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between VfB Stuttgart and Celtic FC at Stuttgart Arena on February 26, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

When questioned about McCowan’s comments, O’Neill said: “Well, Luke’s entitled to his comments, believe it or not, you know? I think these games are hard. Every game I’ve been involved in since I’ve come back, I’ve found it difficult.”

“But no, what I think he probably meant was that we’re a fine side when we’re playing at our very best.”

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

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