O'Neill Fires Back at Rohl Over Tactical Criticism
Martin O'Neill has launched a scathing rebuke of Rangers manager Danny Rohl, accusing him of acting 'like a fan' after the Ibrox boss questioned Celtic's approach in their Europa League exit. The fiery exchange comes ahead of a pivotal Old Firm derby, intensifying the rivalry between the Glasgow giants.
Celtic's Valiant Effort in Stuttgart
Despite a 1-0 victory in Stuttgart, secured by Luke McCowan's goal within 29 seconds, Celtic were eliminated from the Europa League 4-2 on aggregate. The Parkhead side earned widespread praise for their historic win on German soil, but Rohl expressed dissatisfaction, querying why Celtic did not push for 'two or three' goals to overturn the deficit.
O'Neill responded sharply, stating, 'I've just heard it. The lads told me in the little TV room. He must have gone for a cup of tea when Daizen Maeda could have made it 2-0 after six minutes.' He emphasised that Celtic actively sought to win, noting Maeda's early chance could have changed the game's dynamics.
Rohl's Remarks Rile O'Neill Further
The tension escalated when Rohl commented on O'Neill's goalkeeper selection, describing the choice between Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel as 'interesting'. O'Neill retorted, 'I'm glad he's really interested in the make-up of my team. He hasn't been in Glasgow that long, has he?' He suggested Rohl needs more experience in Scottish football to understand its nuances.
Reflecting on their previous encounter, where Celtic defeated Rangers in last year's League Cup semi-final, O'Neill added, 'We did actually beat them and I don't think I mentioned the make-up of his team at the time.' He criticised Rohl's tone, asserting it lacked humour and resembled fan commentary rather than managerial insight.
Derby Preparations and Team Decisions
With a crucial trip to Ibrox looming, O'Neill, who turns 74 this Sunday, remained focused on team selection. He admitted uncertainty over starting players like McCowan and Sinisalo, saying, 'Honestly, I've just climbed off the plane. We'll gather our thoughts tomorrow and just have a real think about it.' He hopes their strong performances won't create selection headaches.
When asked about maintaining calm before big matches, O'Neill quipped, 'Well, hopefully Danny doesn't do another press conference between now and then. Phone him and find out.' He acknowledged Rohl's youth but implied his comments were premature.
This spat underscores the high stakes in Scottish football, as both managers vie for supremacy in the Premiership and beyond.
