Sunday’s Glasgow Derby could be a make-or-break one for Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney.
It may be just the second match for O’Neill since he replaced Brendan Rodgers on an interim basis, but a win in the encounter could be absolutely seismic.
The extent to which O’Neill wants the job on a permanent basis isn’t clear, but if the side can keep up performances like the one in the 4-0 win against Falkirk on Wednesday, fans would be happy.
Dermot Desmond’s explosive statement aimed at Rodgers dominated the conversation on Tuesday, but once O’Neill was in the door, he became the main show.
And responses in press conferences like his one to Raman Bhardwaj today are exactly why.
Martin O’Neill’s brilliant comment ahead of Celtic semi-final vs Rangers
O’Neill has already addressed his Talksport comments at the beginning of the week, admitting that he wouldn’t have made them if he knew he would get the Celtic job.
They weren’t just aimed at Celtic and Hearts, but also Sunday’s opponents, who have endured a torrid start to the season.
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In his press conference ahead of the semi-final clash, he was pushed by Bhardwaj on his comments on Rangers, and his response was excellent.
Asked about his comments on Rangers being ‘so far adrift’ on Monday, he said: “So far adrift in the league, I was talking about.
“Hold on, yeah. I know I’ve been used to having my words tangled around here for 20-odd years, so don’t try that, young man. Take that as a compliment.
“When I said this, Hearts were eight points clear of us, and a number points clear of [Rangers]. And that’s a deficit to get. I didn’t say about a deficit catching up with us at the time, so let me make that clear.
O’Neill showing his experience well there, not getting dragged into a war of words – when many easily could’ve been.
He will be hoping to do his talking on the park on Sunday, in a game which will be defining in his interim spell.
We will see how far ‘adrift’ Rangers are at Hampden.
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