Martin O’Neill believes Celtic aren’t out of any title race despite ‘setback’ at Tannadice
Both O’Neill and McGregor insist the title race for the Hoops’ isn’t over and that Celtic are certainly still in the title race. Celtic were defeated this afternoon at Tannadice after Dundee United scored twice in the second half to put Martin O’Neill’s men further back in their attempt to defend their title. The Glasgow side had good spells of possession but couldn’t make anything show for it, failing to test Maynard-Brewer enough as they suffered defeat in the City of Discovery. While speaking to Sky Sports, ONeill said: “In the second half we lost our way completely, the first goal was going to be vital in the game and we probably didn’t create enough and maybe we didn’t adjust in the second half to conditions but that’s taking nothing away from Dundee United – they deserved to win. “The game got away from us, that’s true. Goals win matches and we chased the game a little bit but, even so, we should have been able to do better. This was always going to be a difficult game for us, away here at Tannadice, I’ve never had an easy game here. “The game got away from us, that’s true. Goals win matches and we chased the game a little bit but, even so, we should have been able to do better. This was always going to be a difficult game for us, away here at Tannadice, I’ve never had an easy game here.” He added: “The game got away from us, that’s true. Goals win matches and we chased the game a little bit but, even so, we should have been able to do better. This was always going to be a difficult game for us, away here at Tannadice, I’ve never had an easy game here. “It is a setback at this particular time of the season and you can’t really afford to do that but we are not finished yet.” Celtic remain in third as they fail to follow-up on their rivals winning this weekend after defeat Aberdeen 4-1. Celtic now sit two points off of their fierce rivals Rangers and five point off league leaders, Hearts. A huge few weeks coming up for Martin O’Neill if they are to catch up and lift the title in May and must avoid any slip-ups in the build up to the final day.
Aberdeen Fan View: A look into what fans thought after Rangers defeat
A look into how some Aberdeen fans reacted on social media following their 4-1 defeat in Glasgow yesterday evening. It was a disappointing evening in Govan as Rangers tore into struggling Aberdeen with Stephen Robinson’s men conceding four on the road. That has left many Dons’ fans furious as a relegation battle is in sight. Some Aberdeen fans believe it is the players that have been at fault this season with Aberdeen fan @AidenMoir4 on X (Twitter) saying: “Can’t believe Robinson gets slated for this, not a single manager would have done any better no matter how we play our football it wouldn’t work”. Some fans have turned on Robinson saying it was a ‘panic option’ but it seems like many fans say it’s the squad rather than managers. Back to the previous point of some fans blaming Robinson, @Dsmithy211 says: “I’ve seen enough, Robinson out”. – Stephen Robinson is getting the stick by some fans despite only being at Pittodrie for just under two weeks. In terms of the relegation battle, @RichardBro68526 suggests: “I hate to say this, we’re in big trouble the teams below us are picking points while we are struggling, worrying times.” – This comes as both Kilmarnock and St Mirren picked up all three points this weekend closing the gap to three points between the trio of clubs as relegation fears build up at Aberdeen. Some fans also believe relegation may be the best for the club as @Weescooty on X says: “Relegation will be best thing for us, board think we are too good to go down”. It’s some worrying times up North as many fans are believing Robinson wasn’t the right man, some feeling it’s the players who should be blamed as well as the majority of the fanbase feeling Aberdeen are well and truly in the relegation battle. Some interesting weeks ahead as Aberdeen travel to Paisley with Robinson facing his former side before taking on Hibernian ahead of the split. Could this be the year which see’s Aberdeen relegated for the first time in their history or will Aberdeen survive the drop and continue their Premiership status?
Stephen Robinson confirms Aberdeen are fighting a “relegation battle” after Rangers defeat
Stephen Robinson feels his side are officially in the relegation battle after a 4-1 defeat at Ibrox. While speaking to Premier Sports, Robinson made it clear he wasn’t pleased with the manner in conceding the goals as the Gers’ put four past the struggling Dons. The Dons boss said: “If you concede goals like that you won’t win football matches and that’s the reason we are where we are. It’s too easy to concede goals. We make changes, you know to give yourself a chance after half-time, for thirty minutes we were solid, we frustrated them, and then you come out in the second half, where you go further forward, you bring subs on and you concede a really, really poor goal. All three goals, the only goal that was a really good goal was Tavernier’s, obviously, with the free-kick. Way, way too easy. It’s been the story of the season. It’s not acceptable for Aberdeen Football Club, for us to let goals in that easy as a collective. Some people can run forward quicker than they can run back and that has to change. I’ve told a few home truths tonight and it has to be. It should have been done six months ago because there’s certainly talent there, but we have to have the same desire to run back and defend and put our bodies on the line as we do running forward. It’s frustrating, the reality is we’re in a dogfight and that’s been told tonight and people have to react to that.” Robinson is against using any excuses in his sides recent performances as the players really need to start performing before Aberdeen are dragged further down. He added: “The excuses are gone. People need to step up now. Aberdeen Football Club doesn’t owe anybody, they owe Aberdeen Football Club and all of us do to make sure we fight and scrap to get ourselves out of this position before we reset anything for next year.” Aberdeen are now fully in a relegation battle as Aberdeen currently sit ninth, just three points ahead of both St Mirren and Kilmarnock who both picked up wins on the weekend to continue the pressure on Aberdeen. Up next is an International break for time to re-group ahead of a tricky two games before the split as Stephen Robinson travels to face his former club in St Mirren before Hibernian travel up North.
