Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Scotland midfielder Robert Snodgrass has voiced his concern at the political chatter surrounding Celtic under Martin O'Neill .
Snodgrass has urged Celtic to keep things in-house and deliver on the pitch, with a big Besiktas game looming and the pressure building in Glasgow .
The former winger has also hailed the momentum Derek McInnes has built at Rangers , backed Lawrence Shankland to score once fit, and assessed Hearts ' injury-hit campaign.
Celtic's Crisis
How Big a Task Is It for Martin O'Neill to Fix Celtic?
I'm seeing signs from Celtic that I've never seen before, not just performance-wise, but with too much political chatter being made public. Celtic 's strength has always been keeping things in-house, backing each other and driving forward together. It feels like board-level issues have crept into the squad, making it acceptable, it seems, to speak freely about negative tactical or internal matters. I don't like seeing it.
The job at Celtic isn't just winning matches; it's winning titles. That's the standard. The main thing is to stop the talking and deliver on the pitch. They have a big game against Besiktas where they need a solid performance. Martin O'Neill 's teams over the years were always solid. They're still top of the league, which is positive, but the high standards they set in recent years mean expectations are huge.
When you set those standards, people come for you, so you have to keep the wolves away from the door. We thought they'd turned a corner beating Hearts , but losing 2-0 to Partick Thistle brings the questions back.
Growing up watching Celtic 's success, you know that facing adversity can actually be the making of a team. People feel they've left the door open for Rangers and Hearts instead of driving forward and pulling away. Seeing board-level matters reach pitch-level is never good because it creeps into the players' minds. It creates a real challenge, but the only way to get everyone off their backs is to stick together and put in winning performances on the pitch.
Do You Fear the Reaction if Celtic Fail Against Besiktas?
Every game at Celtic comes with huge pressure. The demand in Glasgow for both clubs is winning; they're powerhouses who hate losing. There's a specific demand to break down low blocks domestically, which is a different challenge from Europe .
Celtic taking their domestic approach into Europe has been difficult over the last few years. Playing three games in seven days comes fast, so you have to rotate and manage the squad effectively rather than getting bogged down in off-field noise.
You see Martin O'Neill using his experience to keep the players united through defeats, because the games come thick and fast. Europe has been a test, but domestically, winning trophies is the absolute expectation.
Rangers on the Rise
How Do You See the Scottish League Cup Final Going?
Derek McInnes has been in Scottish football for so long that he knows all the pitfalls and success stories. He knows Rangers inside out and understands what's expected as manager. Winning a trophy early on gives massive confidence.
Rangers are finding real momentum and have beaten Celtic convincingly a few times this season. Derek has galvanised the squad, ground out results and built strong belief among the players and supporters that he's the man to push the club forward.
Can Rangers Blow Sides Away With Shankland Back Fit?
Shanks ' start to the season was plagued by small injuries, which was tricky while wearing the armband during a tough spell for the team. But he'll benefit from playing in a Rangers side that is growing in confidence. If you give Lawrence Shankland chances, he will score goals; it's as simple as that. With Kevin Kelsey and Ryan Naderi in there as well, they have some great options.
Hearts
What Should the Target Be for Hearts This Season?
The injuries are hard to see because Hearts are building something really good. I know Graeme Jones , the sporting director, and several staff members there. Seeing how well they've done over the last two years with a clear plan and structure to challenge Celtic and Rangers has been impressive.
They had a great win recently and were very unlucky against Rangers , showing they aren't scared of the Old Firm , home or away. Signing good players built real belief, but having such an extensive injury list at a vital point in the season is going to be a huge test and challenge for this Hearts team.
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