Celtic: The Bears Are Raging After the Ibrox Club’s European Defeat – Social Media Turns on Derek McInnes

Football can humble any manager. One defeat should never define a reign. But sometimes it is not the result itself that tells the story – it is the reaction that follows.

If tonight’s response from sections of the Ibrox club support on social media is any indication, Derek McInnes already has a mountain to climb.

That should concern him far more than the 2-1 defeat in Poland.

Alarm Bells Are Already Ringing

The honeymoon appears to have lasted just a handful of competitive matches before frustration boiled over. The supporters who were promised a fresh start are already asking difficult questions, and some are reaching remarkably harsh conclusions.

One supporter wrote: “Honestly McInnes hasn’t got a clue. Cut our losses right now and get someone else in.”

That is an extraordinary thing to read so early in a manager’s tenure.

The same supporter continued: “His line ups and substitutes (or lack thereof) are unbelievably concerning. He’s clueless. I’m normally positive but I’ve already seen enough.”

When your own support is talking like that in early August, alarm bells should be ringing.

The Mood Around the Ibrox Club Is Turning

Another fan widened the criticism beyond the current manager, writing: “This is vindicating Clement, GVB, Beale, Martin, Rohl. All had their flaws, but this club has become so toxic, no manager could rescue it.”

Whether you agree with that assessment or not, it highlights a fanbase rapidly losing patience.

Others turned their anger towards the players.

One supporter labelled several performances unacceptable before concluding with the blunt instruction: “Sell. Sell. Sell.”

That hardly sounds like a fanbase convinced it is watching a side ready to compete in Europe.

Can Derek McInnes Turn This Around?

The bigger question is whether McInnes can change that mood before it becomes irreversible.

There is little doubt he will defend his players publicly, as most managers do after defeats. It will also be fascinating to hear where he believes the game was lost and whether he points to tactical decisions, individual errors or simply credits the opposition.

What he cannot do is ignore the growing frustration among his own supporters.

The pressure at the Ibrox club is unlike almost anywhere else in Scottish football. Defeat is rarely viewed in isolation. One poor result quickly becomes two, then three, and suddenly every team selection, every substitution and every interview is analysed under a microscope.

That is the reality McInnes has walked into.

My View

As a Celtic supporter looking in from the outside, I have seen this cycle before. Optimism gives way to frustration, frustration turns into anger, and anger soon becomes calls for change.

Will Derek McInnes still be in charge at Christmas?

Nobody can answer that today.

But if performances continue to resemble what unfolded in Poland, the question will only grow louder.

The biggest problem for McInnes is not what Celtic supporters think.

It is what his own supporters are already saying.

When sections of your fanbase are declaring “I’ve already seen enough” after the opening weeks of a season, you are already fighting for more than three points.

You are fighting to keep belief alive.

Judging by the reaction tonight, belief already appears to be fading.