Fans stunned as O’Neill Slams Rangers and their fans Post-Defeat Blackmail Tactics “Rangers Can’t Get Over It”

Interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has hit back at Rangers’ accusations of “biased officiating conduct” following their 3–1 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat at Hampden Park, branding the comments “sore loser talk” and insisting that Celtic “can never engage in that.”

Rangers, who saw their cup hopes crushed by a rampant Celtic side, were said to be furious at several refereeing decisions during the match, including what they believed to be a missed foul in the build-up to Celtic’s second goal. Sources close to the Ibrox club indicated they were deeply unhappy with the standard of officiating and were considering raising their concerns formally with the SFA.

O’Neill, however, dismissed the suggestion that officials had favoured his team and accused Rangers of trying to shift blame away from their own shortcomings.

“They can’t just get over it,” O’Neill said bluntly. “Every time they lose, there’s a new excuse. This time it’s the referee, next time it’ll be the pitch. It’s always something. They’re known for this, they try to blackmail the narrative, make it look like there’s some grand conspiracy.”

The 72-year-old, back in the Celtic dugout as interim boss after Brendan Rodgers’ departure, was in defiant mood as he spoke to BBC Sport Scotland after the match.

“Celtic is a big club,” he added. “We win through our football, through quality and commitment, not by leaning on officials or external factors. We can never engage in that kind of talk. It’s not who we are.”

O’Neill’s words came after a fiery and emotional semi-final that saw Celtic overturn an early deficit to book their place in the Scottish Cup final.

The intensity of the contest spilled beyond the pitch, with Rangers’ coaching staff repeatedly appealing to the fourth official over several incidents, including a penalty shout waved away in stoppage time. At full-time, several Rangers players were seen surrounding the referee, while O’Neill and Rangers assistant exchanged words near the tunnel.

Rangers later briefed the media that they believed the integrity of the officiating had fallen below acceptable standards.

O’Neill’s response was swift and cutting.

“They should look at themselves first,” he said. “You don’t lose 3–1 because of a referee. You lose because the other team was better, and that’s exactly what happened. We dominated the game. We earned every bit of that win.”

The interim boss also dismissed suggestions that his own touchline behaviour had inflamed tensions.

“It’s a passionate fixture,” O’Neill explained. “You’re not going to see me sitting quietly with my arms folded. I’m here to win. But I have total respect for the officials. It’s a hard job, and I think they handled it well.”

BBC Sport understands no official complaint has yet been submitted by Rangers, though senior figures at the club are expected to review the match footage before deciding whether to pursue the matter further. The SFA declined to comment when approached on Sunday evening.

O’Neill’s fiery defence of his players and the officiating was typical of the man who first led Celtic between 2000 and 2005, bringing multiple league titles and European nights to remember. His return, initially viewed as a short-term stopgap, has quickly turned into a revival story, four wins from five, a place in the Scottish Cup final, and a Celtic side rediscovering its old edge.

“When I came back, I said I wanted to see pride and fight again,” O’Neill said. “We’ve got that now. The players have been magnificent. The noise, the energy, the passion, that’s Celtic. That’s what this club stands for.”

Pundits were quick to react to O’Neill’s explosive remarks. Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam said on Sportsound:

“That’s vintage O’Neill, he doesn’t duck the fight. But he’s also right. Rangers can’t keep pointing to officials every time they lose. Celtic were better in every department.”

The win sends Celtic through to face Aberdeen in next month’s Scottish Cup final and gives O’Neill a chance to cap his interim spell with silverware.

As for Rangers, the fallout from Hampden shows no signs of easing. Manager danny Rohl refused to engage directly with O’Neill’s comments but hinted at “questions that need answering” regarding key decisions.

For O’Neill, though, the message was clear. Celtic’s success, he insists, is built on merit, not manipulation.

“We’ve done it the right way,” he said. “Let them talk if they want. We’re in the final. That’s all that matters.”