Derek McInnes aims brutal dig at Celtic FC over Martin O’Neill treatment, the gloves are off

 

The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers has already begun to produce plenty of noise ahead of the new Scottish Premiership campaign, but Martin O’Neill’s recent hospital stay has added another unexpected layer to the relationship between the two clubs.

Celtic confirmed on August 5 that O’Neill had undergone a “small procedure” in hospital, with the club expecting the 74-year-old manager to be released within a day or two. Celtic also asked supporters to respect the privacy of O’Neill and his family. 

The news immediately attracted attention across Scottish football, not least because O’Neill had only recently returned to the Celtic dugout on a permanent basis after an extraordinary spell that saw him guide the club through a turbulent period and ultimately to domestic success.

Derek McInnes, meanwhile, is now in charge of Rangers after leaving Hearts, where he had come agonisingly close to winning the Scottish Premiership title last season.

That background makes every word surrounding O’Neill and Celtic particularly interesting.

However, there is an important distinction to make: there is currently no reliable evidence that McInnes has publicly launched a “brutal dig” at Celtic over O’Neill’s hospital treatment. Reports available publicly show McInnes sending his best wishes to O’Neill rather than attacking him personally. The stronger criticism surrounding Celtic’s handling of O’Neill has largely come from commentators and supporters.

That does not mean the wider issue is insignificant. In fact, it raises an even bigger question: has Celtic placed too much responsibility on a 74-year-old manager to carry the club through another demanding campaign?

And that is where the gloves-off conversation begins.

O’Neill’s hospital news sent Celtic supporters into concern

When Celtic released its statement, the club was careful not to reveal details about the procedure.

The message was straightforward. O’Neill had undergone a small procedure, was expected to leave hospital shortly afterwards, and appreciated the support from Celtic supporters.

The club also made clear that privacy was important.

That was enough to calm some fears, but the timing naturally created concern.

O’Neill had been in the dugout as Celtic began their title defence against Dundee, before missing the following period as the club prepared for its next fixture.

Despite the uncertainty, Celtic continued to operate.

And that became particularly evident when Celtic produced an emphatic performance against Kilmarnock, winning 5-1 at Rugby Park. O’Neill was absent from the touchline, with Shaun Maloney taking charge of the team. 

The result demonstrated something important: Celtic have a coaching structure capable of functioning when O’Neill is unavailable.

But it also inevitably raised questions about the manager’s workload.

The real controversy is bigger than the hospital

The temptation is to connect O’Neill’s hospital stay directly to his working conditions.

That would be irresponsible.

There is no evidence that Celtic caused his medical issue, and there is no basis for speculating about the nature of his procedure.

But there is a legitimate football question surrounding the circumstances in which O’Neill returned to the Celtic job.

At 74, O’Neill is one of the oldest managers operating at the top level of British football.

Yet his age should not automatically be used against him.

The former Celtic boss has repeatedly demonstrated that he remains capable of handling pressure. His return to the club was initially regarded as a short-term solution, but his performances ultimately changed the conversation.

Celtic had endured managerial instability, yet O’Neill helped restore order and eventually guided the club to major domestic success.

That achievement explains why Celtic supporters have such enormous affection for him.

But affection can also become a double-edged sword.

Because when a club legend accepts responsibility during difficult moments, there is always a danger that the institution begins relying on that goodwill too heavily.

Celtic’s transfer problems have placed another burden on O’Neill

This is where the wider criticism of Celtic becomes relevant.

The club entered the summer with expectations of strengthening a squad that had just won the league.

Instead, the transfer operation attracted considerable criticism.

A major Scottish Premiership preview from The Times highlighted Celtic’s sluggish recruitment and described the club as having significant structural and transfer concerns, while noting Rangers’ more aggressive activity under McInnes. 

That matters because recruitment ultimately affects the manager.

Supporters do not blame the chief executive every time a striker misses a chance.

They blame the manager.

They do not normally demand answers from the board after a tactical mistake.

They demand answers from the manager.

And when a team has an incomplete squad, the manager is usually the person asked why the team is struggling.

O’Neill therefore occupies an unusual position.

He has the authority of a Celtic legend, but he is also the public face of the football operation.

That means he absorbs a huge amount of pressure generated by decisions that may not necessarily be his alone.

This is where McInnes enters the story

McInnes knows exactly how demanding the Celtic job can be.

He spent last season at Hearts and came remarkably close to disrupting the traditional Celtic-Rangers dominance.

He took Hearts to an impressive league campaign before eventually losing ground in the final stages.

His success at Tynecastle was one of the reasons Rangers turned to him.

Now, rather ironically, the man who spent last season attempting to knock Celtic off their perch is leading Rangers into a campaign where the club believes it can finally challenge for the title.

That gives McInnes a completely different perspective.

He knows the pressure that comes with competing against Celtic.

He also knows what happens when a club has an opportunity to challenge but fails to take it.

Rangers’ appointment of McInnes was therefore more than a managerial change.

It represented a declaration that the club wanted stability, experience and someone who understands Scottish football.

The contrast with Celtic’s situation is impossible to ignore.

Rangers have moved aggressively while Celtic have faced questions

One of the biggest talking points of the summer has been the difference between the two Old Firm clubs.

Rangers have attempted to reshape their squad under McInnes, while Celtic have faced criticism over the pace and effectiveness of their recruitment.

That contrast has made the upcoming title battle fascinating.

McInnes does not need to attack Celtic publicly to put pressure on them.

The pressure already exists.

Every Rangers signing is another reminder that Celtic cannot afford complacency.

Every Celtic injury creates another headline.

Every delay in recruitment gives Rangers supporters something to celebrate.

And every dropped point creates another question about whether the champions are vulnerable.

The situation involving O’Neill adds another layer.

If Celtic are forced to operate without their manager for any length of time, Maloney and the coaching staff will need to keep the team moving.

The good news for Celtic is that they have already demonstrated that they can win without O’Neill on the touchline.

The 5-1 victory at Kilmarnock was an emphatic statement. 

O’Neill’s position makes the situation even more sensitive

There is another reason why the story has become so emotional.

O’Neill did not simply return to Celtic as an ordinary manager.

He returned as a legend.

His first spell at Celtic established him as one of the most important managers in the modern history of the club.

His return therefore carried enormous emotional weight.

When Celtic needed stability, he answered the call.

When the club needed results, he delivered.

And when supporters were desperate for trophies, O’Neill helped deliver them.

That history makes it difficult for Celtic fans to view him simply as another employee.

But football is unforgiving.

The same supporters celebrating a manager after a trophy-winning campaign can demand answers after three poor performances.

That is the nature of the Celtic job.

And at 74, the physical and emotional demands inevitably become part of the discussion.

The biggest question for Celtic is whether they are protecting their manager

This is perhaps the most important issue to emerge from the situation.

Nobody should suggest that O’Neill is incapable of managing Celtic because of his age.

That would be unfair and patronising.

His record speaks for itself.

The question is different:

Is Celtic doing enough to make his job manageable?

A modern football club cannot simply rely on the personality of its manager to solve every problem.

There needs to be a strong recruitment structure.

There needs to be clear communication between the board and football department.

There needs to be an effective coaching team.

And, perhaps most importantly, there needs to be a clear division of responsibility.

O’Neill should be responsible for coaching and managing the team.

He should not have to become the solution to every organisational problem at Celtic Park.

McInnes does not need a personal attack to make his point

This is why the “brutal dig” narrative needs to be handled carefully.

There is a temptation in Old Firm football to turn every statement into psychological warfare.

But McInnes’ reported response to O’Neill’s hospitalisation has been one of goodwill rather than hostility. Public reports indicate that he sent his best wishes to the Celtic manager. 

That is significant.

The rivalry can be fierce without becoming personal.

McInnes will want to defeat Celtic on the pitch.

He does not need to attack O’Neill’s health to do it.

In fact, the most damaging “dig” McInnes could deliver would be entirely football-related.

If Rangers can challenge Celtic for the title, win at Parkhead and remain consistent throughout the season, that would speak louder than any press-conference comment.

Celtic have already provided the perfect response

For Celtic, the answer is equally simple.

They must continue winning.

The club responded to the uncertainty around O’Neill by producing a dominant 5-1 victory at Kilmarnock.

That is exactly what the champions needed.

It showed that the coaching staff can maintain standards even when the manager is unavailable.

More importantly, it prevents the hospital situation from becoming a footballing crisis.

O’Neill’s health must come first.

The club has made that clear.

But Celtic’s season cannot stop.

Shaun Maloney, the players and the rest of the coaching staff must continue to prepare the team until O’Neill is ready to return.

The latest reports have since provided encouraging news, with O’Neill discharged from hospital and described as being in good form. 

That should be the main focus.

The Old Firm battle is only getting started

There is still a long way to go in the 2026/27 season.

Rangers have made significant changes.

Celtic are defending their title.

Hearts are rebuilding after losing McInnes.

And O’Neill’s return to the Celtic dugout remains one of the most intriguing stories in Scottish football.

The biggest lesson from the latest episode is that the Old Firm rivalry does not need manufactured drama.

The football itself provides enough.

McInnes wants to knock Celtic off the top.

O’Neill wants to keep Celtic there.

And Rangers believe their new manager has the experience and determination to make the title race much more competitive.

For Celtic, however, the priority should be clear.

Protect Martin O’Neill.

Give him the strongest possible squad.

Take responsibility for the decisions that belong to the boardroom.

And allow the manager to concentrate on what he does best — managing the football team.

Because if Celtic fail to strengthen and the pressure begins to build again, the questions will not be directed only at O’Neill.

They will increasingly be directed at the people above him.

And that could become the real battle of the season.

The gloves may be off on the pitch, but the most important fight at Celtic right now is making sure Martin O’Neill does not have to carry the entire weight of the club on his shoulders.