Martin O’Neill is looking forward to what is “most likely” his last Old Firm match as Celtic aim to beat Rangers on Sunday to keep their title hopes alive.
The interim manager, preparing for his first derby at Celtic Park in 21 years, confirmed that influential forward Daizen Maeda is available after picking up a knock last weekend.
With three games left, the defending champions sit three points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, who visit Motherwell on Saturday and boast a superior goal difference. Rangers are currently seven points off the summit.
Having finished top in 13 of the past 14 seasons, O’Neill believes the fear of losing their crown is motivating his players. “It’s not a position the club has found itself in recently,” said the 74-year-old. “Generally, they’ve pulled clear with no real opposition. This year, there’s been plenty of challengers—not just Rangers but Hearts too. So it’s a big change, something many of these players aren’t used to. You have to adapt and keep chasing.”
Maeda, last season’s top scorer with four goals in his last three matches, completed last Sunday’s 2-1 win at Hibernian but limped off holding his boot. “He’s fine, which is really good news,” O’Neill said. “He trained and had no reaction. He’s had a super couple of weeks.”
In two separate spells this season, O’Neill is unbeaten in three meetings with Rangers, winning both cup encounters after extra time and drawing at Ibrox in the league. During his first tenure at Celtic from 2000-05, he won 16 derbies, drew three, and lost eight.
Celtic are on a run of four consecutive league victories, while Rangers have lost their last two games to fall off the pace. However, Rangers did win on their last visit to Celtic Park in January, when Wilfried Nancy was in charge of the hosts.
Asked about building momentum at the right time, O’Neill was cautious. “I genuinely don’t know that. The games we’ve had have been difficult. I haven’t tried to analyse it too much; we’ve just got over the line. But I think the Old Firm game takes care of itself.”
Addressing his future, O’Neill said “most likely” when asked if this would be his last derby. On his memories of the famous fixture, he added: “Just the intensity and atmosphere—both at Celtic Park and Ibrox—it’s phenomenal. At Ibrox, when they scored two early on, the place was really rocking. It compares to any atmosphere in Britain and probably Europe. I think that could be echoed on Sunday.”
