Martin O’Neill and Danny Rohl have engaged in heated pre-match exchanges ahead of Sunday’s crucial Old Firm derby, with both managers feeling the pressure as their clubs chase Hearts in an unprecedented Scottish Premiership title race. According to Bbc.com.
Managers trade verbal blows before make-or-break Old Firm encounter
The war of words began when Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan declared his side remained the country’s best team despite sitting third in the table. McCowan boldly stated that “if we’re at it, no team in the league touches us” following Thursday’s victory over Stuttgart.
Rangers manager Danny Rohl responded by highlighting Celtic’s struggles, reminding observers that his opponents have lost seven games compared to Rangers’ two defeats this season. The German also questioned Celtic’s tactical approach against Stuttgart and speculated about O’Neill’s goalkeeper selection between Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel.
O’Neill reacted angrily to Rohl’s comments, describing them as “quite extraordinary” and dismissing his counterpart as “a very young man” who was behaving like a fan. The veteran manager pointedly asked whether Rohl had “been in Glasgow that long” to understand the fixture’s significance.
Celtic’s title defence has been severely compromised this season, with the club dropping points in 10 of their 27 games. They remain 15 points worse off than at the same stage last season, when they sat comfortably at the top with a 13-point advantage over their nearest rivals.
The Parkhead side’s struggles are reflected in their comparative statistics, having won five fewer games and lost five more than last season. They have scored 28 fewer goals while conceding nine more, highlighting the dramatic decline from their previously dominant position in Scottish football.
