MARTIN O’NEILL KNOWS a thing or two about the Old Firm rivalry, having enjoyed five successful years at Celtic.
Under current manger Brendan Rodgers, the Hoops secured a seventh successive Scottish Premiership title on Saturday by thrashing the old enemy Rangers 5-0 at Parkhead.
Speaking at a ‘Show Racism The Red Card’ event yesterday, the Derry native described the Gers as “dreadful”and he expressed his beliefs in more detail this afternoon.
At the launch of the 2018 SportsDirect FAI Summer Soccer Schools, O’Neill suggested it is actually in Celtic’s best interests that Rangers make drastic improvements.
“I do think that Rangers are desperately poor,” O’Neill said at the Aviva Stadium earlier today. “I think if Celtic are going to improve in Europe, I believe they need a strong, competitive Rangers to be with them.
“That might sound anathema to some Celtic fans who are desperate to go 10 in-a-row, but I genuinely think this. Celtic are the best team in Scotland by a million miles, and Rangers’ competition — as you seen in recent weeks both in the cup semi-final and last week — is desperately weak.
Let’s be fair about it, it is the weakest Rangers side I have ever, ever known and Celtic need them to be strong. A stronger and more competitive Rangers side would help Celtic in their quest to make that extra stride in Europe.”
Interim manager Graeme Murty was sacked by the Ibrox club today, apparently paving the way for Steven Gerrard to take over. Despite his criticism of Rangers, O’Neill believes the Liverpool legend’s arrival could have a positive impact.
“Absolutely, why not?” O’Neill replied, when asked if it could be the right job for Gerrard. “Why shouldn’t he? He knows pressure, he has lived with it and performed brilliantly under pressure as a player. I know playing and managing are two totally different things, but it would be a massive lift for Rangers if someone of that ilk was going there.
“If he is, I think Stevie would be well-aware that there might have to be a few promises kept and Rangers would have to improve the calibre of player, otherwise what’s the point? Rangers would have to demand that they get a better quality of player.”
Ireland’s next international fixture sees them face Celtic at Parkhead on 20 May in a testimonial match for Hoops captain Scott Brown.
O’Neill joined the club in 2000 and went on to win three league titles, two Scottish Cups and the Scottish League Cup as well as finishing runners-up to Jose Mourinho’s Porto in 2003.
He took charge of them for the final time in a similar game to the upcoming one involving the Boys in Green for Jackie McNamara in 2005.
“Wee Jackie was a terrific footballer for us, really good,” O’Neill remembered. “Those were the days.
You pass the torch onto someone else and it goes. I have been back to Celtic Park a few times, perhaps not as often as I would have wanted to. But it’s a great, great football club and hopefully when they play us, they will have clinched the double-treble.
“The times I’ve been back have been for games like that. Stiliyan Petrov had an emotional return there too after his cancer. So those type of things I’d go back for, but, as I say, you pass it on to someone else.”
Ireland also have end-of-season friendlies away to France (28 May) and at home to the US (2 June) scheduled, and several regulars could potentially be missing due to involvement in the Championship play-offs and pre-arranged holidays.
“First of all, I will have some players who are going to be involved in play-offs,” said O’Neill. “Secondly, when we’re organising the international matches at the end of the season, the players always know that there will be matches.
“But some of the Premier League players might be looking for a little family holiday before we meet up, as the Scott Brown match came a wee bit after some of the lads had organised things. In fairness, they’ve talked about maybe changing plans, but if they have made this little family holiday and that’s the only opportunity they get — because players come back rather quickly now for pre-season — then I would say I’ll allow one or two that time.
“It gives an opportunity for some younger players coming in to try and make their mark. That’s something I’m considering. It will probably be a wee bit more clear next week when I announce the squad.”
Republic of Ireland managers Martin O’Neill and Colin Bell were speaking at the launch of the 2018 SportsDirect FAI Summer Soccer Schools. Bookings open now at www.summersoccerschools.ie
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The rest of the league is improving, if that continues then great. Hibs are a joy to watch for instance with a good manager. Steve Clarke has worked wonders with Kilmarnock also. Aberdeen are very consistent. Another close season and some good buys then hopefully these sides will be even stronger next year.
The most important thing is the negotiation of the new TV deal.
@Ciaran Rice: yeah hopefully Scottish football improves for all our sakes.
@Ciaran Rice: you knew I was going to comment. Jesus Ciaran I think you are a secret Hibs fan. The love in from Celtic fans towards Hibs is laughable due to Lenny being at the helm.
Now there’s you harping on about how competitive this league is and there’s MON stating this is the worst rangers team he has ever seen yet there is only 3 points separating aberdeen, Hibs and the rangers and you are singing the praises of the other two
@Mel Roberts: I appreciate the football that Hibs play. I praised Kilmarnock too. They aren’t as good to watch as they don’t have the players that Hibs do but they are very well organised and drilled by Steve Clarke.
@Ciaran Rice: Gerard is a catholic according to Wikipedia. Wonder how Rangers faithful will react?
@Ciaran Rice: awww Scottish pub football. That’s nice!
@Henry Porter: let’s not tell them for the craic.
@Roibeard O’ Beachain: fk off back to Brighton ya West brit
Just need another team to challenge Celtic, doesn’t have to be rangers. Why not have a strong Hibs team and begin a glasgow – Edinburgh rivalry which could be just as good for Scottish football
Rangers under Gerrard will slip
@Maurice Bourke: I’d say you’re the first person to ever make that joke.
@Maurice Bourke: Yep Glasgow isnt a good place for former Liverpool players to begin managerial careers as John Barnes can testify
Let rangers rot, they bring nothing to the league.
@Ray Farrell: most successful Scottish team by a bit still!
@Gavin Scott: 9 or 10 illegal Scottish titles but never kings of Europe.
@Jamie McCormack: And their fans are hated worldwide .
Martin is beginning to sound a little like the cheerleaders in the Scottish press now.Was he not bothered by the industrial strength cheating when he was up against the old club?Scotland needs a strong Aberdeen,Hibs and the like and not just this particular club which is still living way beyond its means.
I don’t see this as a poisoned chalice for Gerrard at all. All he really needs to do is establish rangers as the undisputed no2 in Scotland and be competitive with Celtic in the head to heads especially at home. Draw a few and the odd win and the majority of fans will be content. The gap in the budgets will keep all bar the headbangers realistic. They should be a clear second and above for the very same reasons they are behind Celtic though and anything less will be inexcusable.
@tim dawson: this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Rangers fans are not going to accept being second to Celtic continuously. I’m going to assume you don’t understand football in Glasgow.
@tim dawson: You obviously dont watch Scottish Football. Neill Lennon and Hibs are miles ahead of Rangers.. Rangers have no money and will start spending stupidly to stop Celtic doing the 10 in a row.. Where as Hibs have decent young players, are playing brilliant football and a potential financial windfall if they sell McGinn to Celtic..
@David Garland: ahhh no they are not. Rangers and Aberdeen are both ahead of Hibs.
@Ciaran Rice: The majority will reluctantly imo. They wouldn’t have prior to sevco but they are a lot more clued in financially now than they used to be and than the average big club fan. Yes they want to finish above Celtic but not by bankrupting the club. They will not accept finishing behind anyone else though and They will not accept second to anyone if the money is there through a new owner etc but in the current circumstances they have no choice and they know it.
@David Garland: I don’t they will. As for hibs etc that’s why Murty was sacked. I agree that hibs are playing good football. It’s great to see them getting full houses.
Puke football…and i support finn harps
@Jono: you’re speaking from experience so
O’Neill would know all about dreadful teams
a joke League at least in the LOi most of the top half are comppeting
If rangers won just 2 of the old firm games Brendan Rogers would probably be about to be replaced by Gerard
Hibs are crap. When was the last time they won the league?
Sevco are a joke and deserve to be laughed at. Relegation could be a reality for them next season.
@Trevi Fountain: what has their last title win got to do with the current Hibs team being good? Nothing?
When was the last time you watched Hibs?
One less team to pillage the rest, gives Aberdeen, hibs hearts etc a chance to build teams and not have the best ripped away from them