"Today is a setback. I don't think it's the end of it," MON

Martin O’Neill spoke to Sky Sports and Celtic TV after the 2-0 defeat against Dundee United at Tanandice that leaves Celtic in third place in the Scottish Premiership, five points adrift of leaders Hearts and two points behind the Rangers in second place…

Colby Donovan of Celtic controls the ball under pressure from Will Ferry of Dundee United during the Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice Park on March 22, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

Watch both videos below and read everything that was said in the post-match media conference at Tannadice after Celtic’s title challenge faltered badly. Callum McGregor, speaking to Sky Sports, reckons that Celtic now must win all seven remaining matches to stand a chance of retaining the title. That’s going to be extremely challenging from this group of players.

Let’s start with Martin O’Neill’s post match interview on Sky Sports…

🗣️ “It is a setback… but we’re not finished yet”

Martin O’Neill has “plenty to reflect on” following today’s loss at Dundee United ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/zxVn3DJou5

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 22, 2026

Then move onto the Celtic manager’s comments to the questions asked of him in the media room at Tannadice after today’s 2-0 defeat to Dundee United…

Q: What are your thoughts on the game?

Martin O’Neill: “Obviously, very, very disappointing. Disappointing result, disappointing performance, second half particularly. I thought in the first half we had p

ossession, didn’t really do enough with it, obviously. For little periods we camped outside their penalty area. They defended in numbers, which is to their credit. And so the first goal was going to be vital in the game. Second half just got away from us completely.”

Martin O’Neill talks to BBC Scotland at Tannadice ahead of Dundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Q: Can you put your finger on why it never quite happened?

Martin O’Neill: “So at half-time we still felt, you know, if we could break through, that we could go on to win the game. As I’ve just mentioned there, the first goal is really absolutely vital. They got it. And eventually, they deserve to win.”

Q: Is the pitch condition too easy an excuse to use?

Martin O’Neill: “Honestly, I wouldn’t mention the pitch. Believe it. It is the same for both teams.”

Q: “I believe no team has lost eight games in a season and won the title in the modern era. Does that underline the magnitude of what you’ve got to do now?”

Iain Jamieson and Martin O’Neill at Tannadice. Dundee Utd v Celtic. Sunday 22 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Martin O’Neill: “Of course, yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I didn’t know that stat. Yeah, just disappointed, naturally. We got ourselves a bit of spirit and determination about the team, which I’ve been saying for the last few weeks. And I felt that, I think that was the disappointment. I think, you know, when we fell behind in the game, we didn’t show enough to warrant fighting back.”

Q: Because that’s the thing, your response to setbacks in recent weeks has been excellent?

Martin O’Neill: “Yeah.:

Q: It just wasn’t there today?

Martin O’Neill: “It wasn’t there today, yeah. No, that’s true. It wasn’t. And, yeah, so I’ll have a look at the game back. I’ll have a look at myself, which is, I think, as important as players looking at themselves, and see what I could have done. Some of you will say I could have done a lot, really, at the end of the day, after the second half.”

Q: There’s pretty much a situation where you’re going to have to win seven games? There’s no wriggle room?

Martin O’Neill: “I must admit, I don’t think there ever has been. But today is a setback. I don’t think it’s the end of it. I still think that we’re in it. But you’re probably right. I think we’d have to win the seven games.”

Julian Araujo holds the Celtic badge at Ibrox. theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Q: Have you got any updates on Julian Araujo, who’s missing again today?

Martin O’Neill: “He’s missing, he’s down and he’s getting treatment and being rehabbed at his football club at Bournemouth.”

Q: Do you think he’ll be available after the international break?

Martin O’Neill: “I’m not sure. I’m not sure, but the extra two weeks could help.

Q: How? Is it going to be like lifting the spirit of the boys after a defeat like that?

Martin O’Neill: “Yeah, that wasn’t… That was just not good enough. Not good enough for us. When I say us, I mean Celtic Football Club. Not really good enough, and not good enough for disappointment for the fans who’ve arrived here, and disappointing for the fans from a distance. So not great at all.”

Ross Graham of Dundee United is challenged by Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice Park on March 22, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

Q: It was a silver lining, perhaps, Kelechi Iheanacho gave a bit of a focal point and attack up front when he started the game?

Martin O’Neill: “I think the thing that I thought in terms of the conditions, which beforehand you’re trying to take into consideration, that if we could have some possession and then play it into Iheanacho, that he could hold it and be in the penalty box and be a threat. But I knew that he wouldn’t last the game anyway, not having played since he came off in the Cup final.

Q: Martin, aside from the obvious, in the remaining seven games, what else do you need in the run-in?

“In all honesty, I think that, one, we have to try and create more. And two, when we do create, I think we have to try and take the chances. And that, I thought, in all honesty, both were missing today.”

Q: Is this going to be a lot about mentality?

Martin O’Neill: “Yeah, I probably wouldn’t disagree with that.”

Q: The problem is you’re talking about creating chances, it’s consistency isn’t it?

Martin O’Neill: “Yeah, yeah.”

Q: Particularly concerning because you can’t have any inconsistency now?

Martin O’Neill: “No, we can’t. Really disappointing, I must admit. So, yeah, we have to come back and try and get a bit of strength about ourselves and reinvent our character.”