“YOU ARE 19 BUT YOUR TEAM JUST DROPPED OUT OF EUROPA LEAGUE — YOU WILL LEAVE FOR A BETTER CLUB” – Martin O’Neil Stuns Fans With Blunt Remarks

Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neil has ignited a storm across Scottish football after a jaw-dropping interview in which he appeared to openly encourage a Rangers youngster to consider leaving Ibrox for “a better club” following their Europa League exit.

The player at the centre of the controversy is 19-year-old Rangers prospect Findlay Curtis, who has been one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing European campaign for the club. Rangers’ elimination from the Europa League earlier this week has already placed the squad and coaching staff under heavy criticism, but O’Neil’s comments have taken the rivalry to a whole new level.

Speaking after Celtic training on Friday, O’Neil was asked about young talents across Scotland and whether pressure at big clubs can affect their development. What followed has since gone viral.

“You are 19 and your team just dropped out of the Europa League,” O’Neil said. “At that age, you need to be thinking about your future. Sometimes that means leaving for a better club where you can grow properly.”

Although he did not initially mention Curtis by name, he later referenced the Rangers youngster directly when pressed by reporters.

“Findlay Curtis is a very good player. Everyone can see it. But good players must be in good environments. That’s all I will say.”

The implication was impossible to ignore, and fans from both sides of the Glasgow divide reacted immediately. Rangers supporters labelled the comments as “disrespectful,” “classless,” and an attempt to unsettle a young player during a difficult moment for the club. Celtic fans, meanwhile, were divided — some praising O’Neil’s honesty, others warning that the remarks could spark unnecessary tension.

The situation intensified when reports emerged suggesting that Celtic have been monitoring Curtis’ situation closely, with speculation now swirling that a shock cross-city move could be on the cards. While no official approach has been confirmed, the timing of O’Neil’s comments has only added fuel to the fire.

Social media has been flooded with reactions, with many questioning whether a manager should be publicly discussing a rival club’s teenage player in such a manner. Pundits have also weighed in, suggesting the comments could attract scrutiny from the Scottish FA for potentially bringing the game into disrepute.

Rangers have yet to release an official statement, but sources indicate the club is furious behind the scenes, believing O’Neil crossed a line by speaking so openly about one of their young talents.

For Curtis, the attention may be overwhelming. The teenager has shown promise and maturity beyond his years, but now finds himself at the centre of one of the most heated debates in Scottish football.

As the dust settles from Rangers’ European disappointment, Martin O’Neil’s words have ensured the spotlight remains firmly on Glasgow — not for what happened on the pitch, but for what was said off it.