Celtic’s dressing room sent powerful message after Rangers defeats

Martin O’Neill has had the international break to work out why Celtic have lost three games in a row.

The two Rangers defeats have been particularly difficult to stomach. Celtic were second best in both games, and O’Neill has already faced criticism for suggesting there wasn’t much between the sides.

With Motherwell visiting Parkhead on Sunday, the Celtic manager needs a response from his players.

Former Hoops defender Glenn Loovens reckons they have enough ability to get themselves out of this mess, although his memories of dealing with poor results at Celtic are rather different.

Glenn Loovens makes Celtic admission as he backs Martin O’Neill’s squad

Loovens told the Scottish Sun that he still watches Celtic whenever he gets the chance.

He said: “If possible I try to watch them play. There’s always a little bit of panic when you lose a couple of games on the bounce. That is normal, especially when that happens against the big rivals.

“I have faith that they will turn it around and they have enough quality in the squad to get things going.”

Asked how his Celtic side coped with losing runs, Loovens joked:

“How did my team cope with this kind of run? I’m not sure we ever lost three or four on the bounce!”

His advice to the current squad was straightforward. Loovens said: “In these times you have to stick together. That’s the only way. Work hard. Go back to the basics and show the quality you have.

“If you sort these things out, then the quality will always shine again.”

Glenn Loovens experienced Celtic’s problems under Tony Mowbray

Loovens was at Celtic when Tony Mowbray’s reign fell apart in 2010. The Dutchman had arrived during Gordon Strachan’s final season and stayed through Mowbray’s disastrous spell before playing under Neil Lennon.

Mowbray was sacked in March after St Mirren hammered Celtic 4-0, with Rangers eventually winning the league by six points.

So although Loovens can’t remember losing three or four consecutive games, he was certainly around when things got ugly at Parkhead.

His comments about sticking together are particularly relevant given the criticism O’Neill and his players have faced.

The Celtic manager recently insisted there was still a good spirit in the dressing room, despite the recent results.

But O’Neill’s comments about the Rangers defeats have done little to convince supporters that he fully appreciates how poorly Celtic played.

Loovens wants the players to get back to basics.

After three straight defeats, a convincing performance against Motherwell would be a decent place to start.