Martin O'Neill hits back at Celtic tactical scrutiny

The manager faced fresh scrutiny after Sunday’s Old Firm defeat, with Celtic preparing for Thursday night’s Europa League clash against Ferencvaros.

He was asked whether he and his coaching staff had reviewed their approach before the match. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said: “Of course.”

“Any time you lose a match, you'll have to question yourself about whether tactics or the team selection.

“It's strange that you're never asked about team selection when you win the games, you're never asked about whether the tactics are right or not when you win the matches.

“We've been doing a fair amount of winning domestically now for quite some considerable time.”

O’Neill also rejected suggestions that defeats by Rangers and in Champions League qualifying had shown repeated tactical problems. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said: “I don't agree with those being the two biggest tests.

“Every single game is a test for us. We go to St Mirren, that's a test. We go to St Johnstone; it is a test.

“At the end of the day we have to try and come through those.”

The 74-year-old said defeat continued to affect him days later and believed his players should feel the same. O’Neill added: “I've never been able to shake things off early.

“Defeat should hurt, it should hurt, and if you're smiling or laughing or joking about an hour after the match is over, then I don't think it's the best sight in the world.”

Celtic face Ferencvaros before returning to league action on Sunday. O’Neill said any changes would reflect workload as well as tactics.

“It is always a balancing act if you're playing so many games in relatively quick succession," he admitted.