Martin O'Neill makes Rangers crowd admission after Celtic's Ibrox humiliation

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is already looking forward to the Hoops’ next meeting with Rangers after admitting he wants to hear the Parkhead crowd make the same noise as the Ibrox support did during Sunday's Old Firm clash.

The Celtic boss watched his side suffer a heavy 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, with Dan Neil scoring twice and Kevin Kelsy also getting on the scoresheet.

Rangers were backed by a royally raucous home support throughout the contest, with the Ibrox faithful enjoying one of the most emphatic Old Firm victories in recent years.

O'Neill on no Celtic support at Ibrox

O'Neill was asked afterwards whether the absence of an away support, due to the crowd trouble during last year’s Scottish Cup clash, had played a part in Celtic's performance.

The veteran manager acknowledged that the occasion could have been difficult for some of his younger and newer players, although he refused to use the lack of Celtic supporters as an excuse.

"Kieran Tierney and Callum [McGregor], people like this here, and James Forrest, they've all won here when there's been big crowds and they've won," he replied.

"Was there anybody here when Covid set in? No? So, they've played here before.

"But certainly for some of the younger and the newer lads, it's an experience that I don't think they'll forget."

Celtic boss not surpised by dominent Rangers

O'Neill's comments came after Celtic had struggled to impose themselves on the match and the four full stands of Ibrox rallying to Rangers’ and Derek McInnes’ cause.

The Celtic boss conceded that his team were simply "second best" on the day.

"I think there has to be a realisation of how big this game is," O'Neill said.

"It's so important to the fans, so important to everybody. It's still one of the great fixtures, as mentioned, in European football, if not the world.

"And people have got to know that. That's the point. We'll have to try and learn from it.

"We were beaten today. Did Rangers surprise me? No.

"I think they're strong. I think they're physically strong. So, it'll be a big test for us next Sunday again, in every aspect."

O'Neill also accepted that Celtic's problems went beyond Rangers' tactical setup.

Asked whether losing possession and failing to win the ball back quickly had contributed to the defeat, he agreed.

"Yes, I absolutely agree with you. I think we can do much, much better than that,” he admitted.

"I think we can get the ball back a bit more quickly than we certainly did today, and start getting back to dominating. We'll see what next Sunday brings."

A second chance for the Hoops?

That next meeting is already firmly on O'Neill's mind. Celtic will have the opportunity to respond when the two sides meet again at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership, with their manager openly welcoming the prospect of playing Rangers in front of his own supporters.

Asked if he was happy that the next domestic fixture was against Rangers, O'Neill gave a revealing response.

"That would be good, yes. I'm looking forward to that,” he revealed.

"I'm looking forward to our crowd making the same sort of noise as the Ibrox crowd made today."

Whatever noise was generated from the stands, Rangers were the dominant side on the pitch, producing the quality, intensity and physicality required to overwhelm Celtic and secure a 3-0 victory.

O'Neill may be hoping that a packed Parkhead can provide Celtic with a different environment next time but Rangers have already demonstrated that they can silence their city rivals regardless of the setting.