Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is displaying some of the same warning signs that preceded Russell Martin's downfall at Rangers, according to a body language expert.
After the 3-1 Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros, O'Neill had a heated post-match exchange with a BBC Scotland reporter, which drew intense scrutiny.
Darren Stanton, a body language expert, analysed the interview and noted several physical signs that suggested stress and anxiety in the veteran manager. Stanton said: "We know that Martin O'Neill comes across as this quiet-spoken guy, but he's not a quiet person. [OLBG]
"He spent most of the interview looking down, engaging in what we call internal processing.
"He was relaying things in his mind but also going back to his gut instincts and reliving what has happened before responding in the interview."
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The body language expert said O'Neill was authentic and did not appear to be playing mind games or being deceptive. However, he pointed out several subconscious gestures that indicated the pressure O'Neill is currently under.
Stanton said: "He made a few hand-to-mouth gestures, denoting anxiety, and we also saw some pacifying gestures where he touched parts of his body, his head and face, and that's intended to soothe himself in this moment of stress.
"The combination of all these gestures points to a man who is feeling the pressure right now, especially ahead of the Old Firm game on the weekend."
Stanton also drew comparisons with former Rangers boss Russell Martin, who was heavily criticised during his troubled spell at Ibrox. He said: "I don't think he is fearing for his job.
"What's more interesting to me is how he uses lots of 'we' pronouns, distancing himself from these results. He is displacing responsibility, and we actually saw this from Russell Martin at Rangers last year, and he wasn't able to turn things around.
"If this trend continues, then his position will become untenable, no matter what he achieved last season or has done for Celtic in the past."
