Martin O’Neill rips Rangers to shreds on talkSPORT as Celtic ‘gulf’ claim made
Martin O’Neill was in complete disagreement with Graeme Souness over his verdict of the difference in quality between Rangers and Celtic.
Souness suggested this week that there is not a great deal between the sides, with tight Old Firms ultimately deciding the battle for top spot.
But on the back of the 2-1 loss at Parkhead, O’Neill insists this current Gers iteration is the worst he has seen in a number of years, with John Lundstram in particular coming in for criticism.
“I think there is a gulf,” he said on talkSPORT [17 May, 10:05am] “I’m sorry, I have to dispute this with Graeme.
“Rangers were desperately poor – really, really poor – the other day in a game that was very important for them. [Celtic] could have been out of sight by half-time. [John] Lundstram gets himself sent off – absolutely ridiculous [challenge].
“That’s as poor a Rangers side that I’ve seen in years – that’s my view. The side that Rangers had in the year 2000-01 would have beaten this Rangers side about 6-0.
“I think there is a genuine difference, there’s no question about it. I think there is quite obviously a gulf at this minute. And Rangers have to do something about it. Rangers need better players, it’s as simple as that.”
Rangers have massive summer transfer window to come
You can understand the point Souness is making. Take Old Firm results out of the equation and the sides would have been level on points.
However, that is going down the ‘if my auntie had wheels’ route. The games between the sides are always going to have a massive say on who wins the title.
What should be said, though, is that Rangers have been a better side than Celtic – or certainly on a par with – since Philippe Clement replaced Michael Beale.
While there is not as big a gulf between the sides as O’Neill is suggesting, it is fair to say that Clement is in need of at least a couple more top-class players in the summer.
Finding them is easier said than done, but that is where focus will already start to turn from the moment the full-time whistle sounds in the upcoming Scottish Cup final.
In other Rangers news, Si Ferry could not believe the Borna Barisic call Philippe Clement made in the Old Firm derby v Celtic.
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