What Celtic have done for close to two decades shouldn’t be underestimated.
Time and time again, Celtic have lifted trophy after trophy, so much so that winning Trebles has become an expectation, not through arrogance, but sheer dominance.
That has also played a significant role in Rangers’ continued decline, and another layer was added to that over the weekend when the Ibrox hierarchy sacked Russell Martin.
Wayne Rooney hasn’t tasted the pressure of football life in Glasgow, but he still understands what it’s like to compete at the top, and he isn’t surprised by what’s happening in Scotland.
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Wayne Rooney on Celtic and Rangers pressure after Russell Martin’s sacking
Martin was booted out in a brutal fashion, and it’s a feeling Rooney is familiar with because his own management career has had many bumpy roads.
Rooney explained on talkSPORT that he understands the expectations of having to win at Celtic or Rangers, and how ‘the pressure is going to be on’ if it’s not happening.
“It’s a difficult one,” responded Rooney on Rangers fans’ protests against Martin. “It’s their club and I’m sure Russell Martin will say himself, ‘it didn’t work out.’
“The results weren’t good enough. I know, I’ve been through that, and it’s not easy. It’s a lonely place to be when that happens, but sometimes they can go too far.
“But that’s probably lost out of the game, the passion, and you don’t want to overstep the mark, but you want to see a bit more passion in the game. It’s sad for him. I wish him all the best, and I’m sure he will come back. He’s a fantastic coach. I’ve coached against him, and he’s a really good coach. Sadly, he just hasn’t found the right club in Rangers.
“Especially in Scotland (you must win), no disrespect to the other teams, but Rangers and Celtic. If you’re the Rangers manager and you’re not winning, then the pressure is going to be on.
“Unfortunately, he’s lost his job, and that’s the way it goes. We’ve seen it with rumours about other managers, who haven’t been job for long. Unless you’re winning, you’re always in danger, and you’re getting sacked.”
Celtic and Rangers’ trophy haul since 2000
Ever since Martin O’Neill, after the turn of the century, helped Celtic lift the third Treble in their history, the domestic success hasn’t stopped.
You can even go back to Rangers’ return to the Premiership; Celtic have even won more Trebles than their rivals have titles, including narrowly missing out on one last season.
- Celtic’s trophy haul since 2000: 42
- Rangers’ trophy haul since 2000: 18
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