Martin O’Neill delivers Celtic and Hearts title verdict, and states Rangers are ‘nowhere to be seen’

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Celtic have a fight on their hands to win title number 56.

Martin O’Neill has been part of many historical Celtic moments, including winning the Treble after Rangers’ dominance in Scotland, but even he didn’t face a battle from a team outside of Glasgow.

Hearts talked the talk at the start of the campaign; unlike Rangers, they have backed it up, and now they are sitting at the top of the Premiership table with an eight-point lead over Celtic – the Gers are fifth, six points behind Brendan Rodgers’ side and a further 13 points behind the leaders.

Not only are Derek McInnes’ side purring, as they proved against the champions of Scotland on Sunday, but Celtic seem to be getting worse by the passing week, but O’Neill isn’t too worried yet.

• READ MORE: Martin O’Neill compares Celtic’s title-winning manager to Jose Mourinho

Martin O’Neill delivers verdict on Premiership title race between Celtic and Hearts

Speaking on talkSPORT, with only nine matches played, O’Neill wanted to make it clear that it’s still ‘early’ days with this title talk.

Whilst also bashing Rangers’ current situation, O’Neill highlighted Celtic’s issues, including how they have now lost that invincibility factor to their game.

“After the weekend, they have put themselves in a really decent position,” said O’Neill. “I get back to the point. I think it’s early.

“Hearts have shown a great determination. Their record is great, at this minute. With Celtic not being as strong, as physically as strong, as maybe you would want them to be. It is possible.

“Celtic can actually lose games, whereas before, they looked invincible in matches. Rangers are no threat whatsoever. They are so far adrift it’s untrue.

“But this is the moment. This is the time for Hearts. They have gone eight points clear. That is a decent enough lead, really. Their confidence has grown, and it will grow from that victory.”

O’Neill on Tynecastle being ‘the most intimidating’ after Rangers

One of O’Neill’s greatest moments as a Celtic manager was his first Glasgow derby, and that famous and quite stunning 6-2 win at Parkhead.

Understandably so, Ibrox was ‘the most intimidating’ atmosphere for the Irishman, but he explained that Tynecastle comes next.

“Hearts are, historically, a very, very fine football club,” added O’Neill. “In fact, outside of Ibrox, I felt that they were the most intimidating crowd to go to, because the crowd are right on top of you.

“They have got a bit of money behind them. Tony Bloom was up there watching it. They have momentum going, which is a big thing, at this minute.

“With Celtic struggling a little bit, and Rangers nowhere to be seen, this is an opportunity.

“But it is, as we talked about at the top of the programme here about Arsenal, a long, long way to go, and there is a long way to go, but momentum is gathering at Tynecastle.”