Martin O’Neill’s criticism of the Celtic support after the protest during the Stuttgart defeat has ruffled some feathers.
The Celtic manager went off on one after he was asked about the Celtic fan protest during the Stuttgart defeat at Parkhead.
Watch Celtic fan protest vs Stuttgart and O’Neill reaction
We captured the protest as posted it on our socials but TNT took humbrage and requested the post was taken down.
So here is how O’Neill reacted to the protest.
Reacting to the protest at full time, the Celtic boss told Superscoreboard, “Anybody who thinks that’s a good idea needs their heads examined? There’s no question about it. Needs their heads examined.
“First of all, it sends out the totally wrong message. We’re playing against Stuttgart, the game is hard enough, and they’re coming here.
“And the problem is, that a way back some years ago, this was an incredibly intimidating place to come to. Incredibly difficult.
“I’ve managed here, where sides like Juventus were scared stiff. And coming here, where top class sides were scared stiff. That sort of thing does not help at all.
“There’s been battles going on, all sorts of things, really, but that doesn’t help. Because what it does do, Stuttgart here, who come to this wonderful football club and then find out that there’s a lot of infighting going on, and things thrown onto the pitch at the end of it all, doesn’t make any great sense to me.
“Because what it does, if I’m a Stuttgart player, I’m thinking, I’m pretty happy in this environment.”
🎥 WATCH: “Anyone who thinks it's a good idea needs their heads examined!”
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) February 19, 2026
🍀 Martin O’Neill is criticising fans who protested during Celtic’s 4-1 home defeat to Stuttgart by throwing balls on to the pitch. pic.twitter.com/MbEgtAuBbh
Bear in mind, the video above was in the press room long after the full time whistle were O’Neill pretty much parroted his criticism of the fans almost verbatim, and it’s not a great look for the legendary boss.
Celtic fans send Martin O’Neill a strong message after Stuttgart comments
Many Celtic fans are loathe to criticise O’Neill but when the Hoops boss takes pot shots at them and spares nothing for the board, supporters will hit back.
Him , Lennon and Petrov have never paid a penny to watch Celtic so their view on the protests mean nothing ..
— princealbertofmonaco (@WeeLemLug) February 19, 2026
@Mickyoungbhoy knew exactly who is at fault and said, “The blame lies squarely with the board. Had the opportunity to improve the atmosphere and end the bans but, clearly have zero interest.”
A team full of loans, wantaways, not good enough and players that are topping up their pension but it's the supports fault.
— JMcG 🍀 (@tarmac1888) February 19, 2026
Give us peace Martin.
@TheTerraceViews was not having it and replied, “That’s nice telling fans who’s payed 45 quid to watch the team tonight and threw some tennis balls on the pitch, that they need their heads examined.
“Awful comments for me. That didn’t cause Kasper to lose his hands.”
Love and respect you Martin but let us real fans down with those comments! Poor show! 🍀
— International Brigade. (@JaykemJason) February 20, 2026
And finally, @jlamb1990 nailed it with this reply, “Martin. You are without question a legend of our club.
“However, those running the club are the only people you should be directing any criticism towards. The only reason the type of protest we saw tonight is happening is because the board will not communicate with ordinary fans.”
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Celtic fans are debating this right now in The Jungle 🍀
Opinions are split. Some fans see it one way, others see it very differently.
The conversation is already live in The Jungle — the Born Celtic forum where proper football arguments happen without algorithms deciding who gets heard.
