Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill pulled no punches during his appearance on TalkSPORT , firmly shutting down the idea that Rangers are close to competing with Celtic. On Monday afternoon, O’Neill made it clear that Celtic are significantly ahead of their city rivals.
The legendary manager didn’t shy away from revisiting his recent clash with former Rangers boss Graeme Souness. During that exchange, Souness insisted the gap between the two Glasgow clubs wasn’t significant—a claim O’Neill dismantled after Celtic’s 3-0 thrashing of Rangers at Celtic Park earlier in the season.
O’Neill reiterated his stance, stating bluntly: “I don’t think he (Brendan Rodgers) has to worry too much because Rangers are so poor. I have been saying this for some quite considerable weeks now. They aren’t a good enough side to challenge Celtic over the whole season.
“I had this argument with Graeme Souness weeks ago that ‘there isn’t a big gap between them.’ There is a massive gap between them. On any given Saturday and any given day, Rangers might pose a threat to Celtic for a match, but over a whole season, especially in league terms, not good enough.”
No Real Threat
O’Neill went on to highlight Celtic’s dominance in the league, emphasising that Rangers currently pose no significant threat to the Hoops’ title defence.
“There is no challenge from Rangers there, at this minute. Aberdeen have done exceptionally well, so far, but you aren’t expecting Aberdeen to keep it going throughout the whole season.
“It could be wider (the points gap by the end of the season) because Celtic are so dominant. Very, very strong. You just expect Celtic to win the games. Rangers going away and winning convincingly? You don’t feel they are capable of doing that.”
O’Neill also pointed to Celtic’s ongoing Champions League campaign, where they’ve performed well despite a few setbacks. The former manager expressed confidence that complacency wouldn’t creep into Brendan Rodgers’ side, given their professional approach to both domestic and European competitions.
A Harsh Reality Check
Known for his outspoken nature, O’Neill’s comments reflect the reality that Rangers haven’t consistently mounted a credible title challenge in recent seasons. While some fans cling to the notion that Rangers remain on par with Celtic, the Hoops’ performances and results continue to debunk that claim.
O’Neill’s scathing remarks will undoubtedly fuel anger across the city, but his assessment underlines the gulf in quality between the two Glasgow clubs.
