O’Neill: ‘Strong’ Celtic could dominate Scotland for a number of years

Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is confident that his old side can dominate Scottish football for a number of years.

The Hoops have won 12 out of the last 13 Premiership titles and are aiming to make it four-in-a-row this season while also looking to make an impact in the revamped Champions League.

And O’Neill, who won three league titles at Parkhead between 2001 and 2005, believes they are currently “much stronger” than city rivals Rangers and insists that the difference will only get bigger as the financial gap between the big two continues to grow.

Celtic were already boasting a strong balance sheet before the sale of Matt O’Riley, for a Scottish record fee that could reach £30m, and the income from at least eight Champions League games this season are factored in.

As the sides prepare to meet for the first Old Firm game of the season, the former boss, who also managed Aston Villa, Leicester City and Republic of Ireland, concedes the game could go either way but fully backs Celtic to be holding the Premiership trophy again in May.

The 72-year-old is actually worried that the gap between the sides could make the top-flight a mismatch in the years to come.

Speaking at the promotional event alongside former Rangers boss Graeme Souness, he said: “The game on Sunday could go either way, but talking about the bigger picture and over a whole season then Celtic are definitely much stronger than Rangers.

“I don’t think Rangers are strong at all, and I don’t think they have the quality of player at their disposal in too many positions that would warrant a whole season, unless they bring some more players in.

“From a distance it seems that they have to get players off their books, so that is even more worrying if you are the manager there.

“At this minute, over a whole season, if the two sides remain how they are at this minute, I don’t think Rangers are strong enough to go away from home in some matches and be cast iron guarantees to win the game.

“There are messages coming out from Rangers saying ‘it will take time’ but I’m not 100% sure they will be given that time, the supporters will be wanting a side to not only compete but to become the dominant force.

“I do think that (it’s a bit of a mismatch between the two squads) and that Celtic are much stronger than Rangers and I think that is common knowledge.

“You can (see Celtic dominating for a number of years), Rangers don’t have the wherewithal financially and the longer that remains the stronger Celtic will be and the weaker Rangers will be.”

Despite their continued domestic dominance and strong start to the season, with four convincing wins out of four, and still having a few days left of the transfer window, the lack of new players being brought in has been a concern for some supporters.

And O’Neill believes they should be aiming to make an impression in the new Champions League format and have aspirations for success on the continent.

On the transfer window so far he said: “Looking at it from a managerial viewpoint, I have been in these situations a few times as a manager, the last thing you want to do is lose quality players.

“It’s understandable that O’Riley going is good financially for the football club, in the sense that you buy someone for £1.5m and sell him for about £30m, that’s really good business.

“But as a manager, you want to keep the players and if they have to go, you are wanting to get some replacements in.

“Apparently Celtic have a few irons in the fire, which I think if you are wanting to make an impression in the Champions League then you will want to do that.

“As a manager you are always wanting more, wanting better and wanting a squad that is able to compete.

“At this minute Celtic are domestically very strong, I don’t think Rangers are brilliant, they could still win the game on Sunday, but my own view is that Celtic have the better side and are capable of going away from home and winning when you couldn’t be absolutely certain that Rangers could do it.

“From a Celtic viewpoint you want to be able to do well in Europe, because that is where they have made their name, they were the first British side ever to win the European Cup back in 1967 and I have said it several times that all Celtic sides should be aspiring to greater glory and that comes from European football.”

Yet again the biggest fixture in Scottish football, and one of the most famous in the whole of football, will be played with only home fans present.

And O’Neill reckons that is something that needs fixed going forward or risk the game losing its reputation.

He said: “It is one the biggest games in world football, and I mean world football, people talk about the Old Firm game all over the world and I think it definitely misses something with no away fans in the stadium.

“And, for me, the sooner that can get fixed the better.”