Expressing shock on the feedback a couple of tie Celtic misplaced 4-2 on mixture, O’Neill stated: “So he’s choosing our workforce? Effectively accomplished previous Danny. He is solely in lower than a 12 months.
“I’ve to snort. He is made a remark in regards to the choosing of our workforce? Completely extraordinary. He hasn’t been in Glasgow lengthy.
“There is not any want for him commenting on my workforce.”
Nonetheless, what appeared to get O’Neill most irritated was the Rangers boss’ suggestion that: “I used to be a little bit bit stunned after 1-0 that they are [Celtic] not attempting to win this sport, 2-0, 3-0, to have an opportunity. They preserve the consequence till the tip.”
The Northern Irishman replied: “He needs to be concerned in a few of these video games.
“I did not see it like that. We have been pushed again as a result of they’re an excellent workforce and within the high 4 of the Bundesliga.”
All that after Rohl had insisted: “I believe, on the whole, it is unnecessary to talk an excessive amount of in regards to the different aspect, we’ve got to give attention to ourselves.”
Therefore the battle traces have been drawn for a Glasgow derby that could possibly be of essential significance to the vacation spot of the Scottish title.
Coronary heart of Midlothian are 4 factors away from Rangers on the high of the Premiership and Celtic two factors additional again with a sport in hand.
O’Neill doesn’t suppose the feedback will add any gasoline to what’s often a fiery fixture.
He ought to know. Though will probably be his first league Outdated Agency derby since a 2-1 win at Ibrox in April 2005, he has gained eight of his final 10 in opposition to Rangers, shedding simply two, and likewise led them to a 3-1 League Cup semi-final win over Rohl’s aspect in November.
That was in his first spell as interim supervisor, however Rangers reversed the scoreline at Celtic Park in January, a consequence that went some technique to ushering in his second after the sacking of Wilfried Nancy.
Celtic’s first-ever win in Germany got here after a 2-1 loss at residence to Hibernian dented their home title hopes.
“We’re working out of video games,” O’Neill admitted. “We now have been attempting to catch up for fairly some appreciable time and we’re nonetheless attempting to do this.
“Shedding to Hibs was a setback, however it wasn’t mortal and we’re nonetheless there.”
Now he’s relishing a “actually nice fixture” he “by no means anticipated” to be concerned in once more.
“He [Rohl] possesses a advantageous workforce over there and it’s going to be powerful for us to get a consequence,” O’Neill admitted.
“In regular circumstances, you want to the total week to arrange, however we have gone to Ibrox and gained earlier than after we’ve got performed midweek video games.”
