Rangers: Martin O’Neill makes ‘incredible’ Celtic claim in new title race verdict
Martin O’Neill thinks Rangers can still come back into title contention under Philippe Clement but thinks the “incredible boost” of their defeat to Ross County hands the initiative to Celtic.
The Gers suffered a shock 3-2 reverse at lowly Ross on Sunday (14 April) and they now trail their Old Firm rivals by four points, albeit they do still have a game in hand.
Rangers will know that realistically their hopes now hinge on being able to beat Celtic at Celtic Park in the final Old Firm derby of the season if they are to be crowned champions.
Former Celtic boss O’Neill says Rangers can’t be ruled out of the equation but concedes psychologically Celtic have the upper hand.
Speaking on the Simon Jordan and Jim White show on talkSPORT (15 April), O’Neill said: “Are they capable of doing it, of pulling it round, under Clement?
“You think yes. But that was massive yesterday. To get the late equaliser last week (against Celtic) to put it right in your hands again, and then to go and lose was…
“What a boost that was for them (Celtic) yesterday. I’ve done this before, tentatively switched on the TV, found Rangers a goal ahead and wrapped it up and then to come back and find they’d won the game, it’s incredible – an incredible boost for Celtic.
“And that boost psychologically with so few games left it could be massive. They’re in a great position now they have the game with Rangers at home with all the fans there.”
Rangers have to respond as Celtic seize initiative
Several things can be true all at once here.
Celtic are now the favourites for the title. The race is not done until it’s done. The loss at Ross is an unbelievable blow. Rangers can still win the title. They have done incredibly well to get back in the race under Clement.
None of those things are factually incorrect. The other thing that is true is that the result at Ross is one that, realistically, you can just cannot afford when you are trying to win the title in Scotland.
But look, the players know that, Clement knows that, Rangers fans know that, any Tom, Dick or Harry with even an ounce of knowledge of Scottish football knows that. But it’s happened, there is now time to wallow in self-pity.
Rangers must respond, they must win their game in hand against Dundee. If they do that and get back to within a point then this race is still right on and the Gers have proven already this season they can fight back against the odds.
In other Rangers news, Dermot Gallagher reacted to a contentious moment in the Ross loss.
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