Martin O’Neill had some fun ridiculing Rangers at a press conference on Wednesday.
The Celtic legend and former manager was in attendance for Premier Sports as they promoted their coverage of Scottish football on TV this season.
Graeme Souness had previously taken centre stage and made a comparison between Russell Martin and another Celtic icon in Jock Stein.
It was strong compliment for Martin, but O’Neill wasn’t in the mood for dishing out niceties as he made fun of the Ibrox club and Celtic’s greatest rivals.
O’Neill takes dig at Rangers with ‘Old Firm’ joke
O’Neill was initially asked by a journalist about how confident he is about the ‘electricity’ returning to Celtic Park after a fan perceived the atmosphere against St Mirren to be flat.
The reporter explained how that flatness could be influenced by the lack of spending by Celtic this summer, and perhaps the defeat to Aberdeen in May’s Scottish Cup final.
O’Neill then replied before going off on a tangent and poking fun at Rangers, which got a laugh from some reporters in the room.
He said: “I just think it’s the opening day, the unfurling of the flag, that type of stuff. You get up for the game and then maybe 15-20 minutes in, something is not happening on the park and it can go flat.
“European nights and Old Firm games – am I allowed to say Old Firm? I’m old school. Still allowed to say that? Graeme (Souness) will come in and tell you that it’s not two different clubs.
“But anyway, there are games where it’s flat. And it’s not up to the crowd, it’s up to the players to get that atmosphere going.
“So no, the late win, if I’m Brendan, I’m thinking: ‘I’m delighted, I’m absolutely delighted’. Across the road the day before, they dropped points. We’ve won the game, we’re a couple of points ahead, we can play much, much better.
“Flat atmospheres at Celtic? It can happen, and it happened during my time too. I think maybe it’s the fans’ concern about the team and trying to get a few more players in. And the quicker, the better.”
O’Neill discusses Brendan Rodgers and Celtic transfers
Elsewhere, O’Neill was hopeful that Celtic would get the necessary business conducted in the transfer window to satisfy Brendan Rodgers’ needs.
Rodgers has been vocal about his need to sign more players, telling reporters last Friday that he needs to convince the board to allow him to spend on key targets.
O’Neill gave his take, saying: “It’s not as if Brendan is just arriving at the football club for his first season. He knows, and the board will know, there has to be mutual ambition at the football club.
“And I am quite sure it’s there. I am very hopeful that things will happen.”
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