Martin O'Neill admitted his side’s title hopes took a severe hit in their miserable 2-0 defeat on Tayside.
15:57, 22 Mar 2026
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Julian Araujo(Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock)
Martin O'Neill insists Celtic are still in the Premiership title fight despite suffering a devastating blow against Dundee United.
The Hoops boss admitted his side’s title hopes took a severe hit in their miserable 2-0 defeat on Tayside.
O’Neill’s men slipped to third in the table after rivals Hearts and Rangers both won at the weekend and are now five points off the pace at the top.
The Northern Irishman is refusing to concede the battle but admitted Celtic might need to win ALL of their remaining seven games.
O’Neill – who is sweating on the fitness of defender Julian Araujo for the run-in – 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.
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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill looks dejected
"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 is up for the fight but Celtic will need to create history to claim the title.
The Hoops have lost EIGHT league games this term – and no side has still claimed the championship with such damaging stats since three-points-for-a-win came in during the mid-nineties.
Celtic struggled on the brutal Tannadice surface but O’Neill refused to let his men off the hook.
He said: “Honestly, I wouldn't mention the pitch. 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.”
Celtic struggle to break down United in the first period but then collapsed after the interval with Will Ferry grabbing the crucial opener before Emmanuel Agyei twisted the knife with the second.
O’Neill said: “Obviously, very, very disappointing. Disappointing result, disappointing performance, second half particularly.
“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.”
Striker Tomas Cvancara missed the Tannadice trip through illness but is expected to be back for the Dundee clash at Dens Park after the international break.
But full back Araujo is a major worry – with the on-loan Bournemouth ace back with his parent club for treatment.
The Mexican missed last weekend’s win at Motherwell and will be assessed over the next fortnight.
But there are fears at Parkhead the defender is facing several weeks out.
Fellow right back Alistair Johnson is close to a return and will spend this week with the Canada international squad, despite not being expected to play.
But Araujo remains a huge concern and O’Neill said: “He's missing, he's down and he's getting treatment and being rehabbed at his football club at Bournemouth.
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“Will he be available after the international break?
“I'm not sure. I'm not sure, but the extra two weeks could help.”