'I think we’d have to win the seven games,' Martin O’Neill

The Hoops manager conceded the 2-0 loss in Tayside was a significant blow to their league ambitions.

Results elsewhere saw both Hearts and the Ibrox club secure victories, leaving Celtic down in third place and trailing the Jambos once again by five points.

While acknowledging the scale of the challenge ahead, the Hoops boss stopped short of ruling his side out, suggesting a perfect run in their final seven fixtures could be required to keep their title hopes alive.

Speaking via PLZ Soccer, O’Neill said: “I must admit, I don’t think there ever has been [any wriggle room]. 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. It’s a big blow to us, with games running down, we can’t really afford to do that. It always seems to be catch-up. Today is a blow, but we’re not finished yet.”

“But we disappointed an awful lot of people here today. It’s been difficult since I’ve set foot in the place both times this season. Today is a blow but we’re not finished yet.”

“We have to bounce back, simple as that. We’ll try and put things right again when we re-assemble after the international break.”

O’Neill has vowed to keep battling, though Celtic face the prospect of rewriting the record books if they are to lift the title.

The Hoops have now suffered eight league defeats this season, and no team has gone on to win the championship with that number of losses since the introduction of three points for a win in the mid-1990s.

While the shocking playing surface at Tannadice posed challenges, O’Neill declined to use the pitch as an excuse, instead calling for greater accountability from his players.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t mention the pitch,” he said. “Believe it. It is the same for both teams. “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.”

“I thought in the first half we had possession, 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.”

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Conor Spence