Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has conceded that Rangers hold an "advantage" in the Scottish Premiership title race because their rivals are no longer competing in Europe.
The defending champions moved back to the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park. However, Celtic's schedule remains congested as they travel to Lisbon to face Benfica in search of their first Europa League point.
O'Neill explains 'altruistic' Rangers comment
After Celtic stumbled in the Europa and Conference League playoff rounds, Derek McInnes now has a free week to prepare his Rangers squad for the next round of Premiership fixtures.
Asked about balancing European commitments while their title rivals focus solely on domestic matters, O'Neill said: "I think that was the point. I think that's a big advantage for them in many aspects."
He added: "I wanted Rangers to qualify for their competition just to play the games. It wasn't altruistic on my part. I just wanted them to play the matches."
Celtic's European ambitions
"We'll try and deal with it as best we can. Obviously, the most important thing for us is to stay up there in the league," O'Neill said.
"But the European games, and I've said this before to you this time last year, it's what the club are aspiring to. Whether we're good enough to compete here or not, I couldn't really tell you."
Hogh's barren run continues
Struggling striker Kasper Hogh continued his difficult spell, with the 25-year-old record signing failing to score for over two months.
O'Neill believes the Dane is close to a turning point in his Celtic career: "Well, he slipped up at a time when it looked as if he was going to score and I think it's one of those, I think he just needs a goal."
"The rest of his game I thought was really fine, he just needs a goal, that's what strikers thrive on."
Reflecting on the win, O'Neill said: "We had a lot of chances and we could have done. The first goal's really important, a great goal by Camilo. And then it settled us down which was good, although I thought up until then we had a lot of possession. So in terms of chances, yeah we could."
"A lot of things have flashed across the box, a number of chances both halves, but delighted to win. I think if you're creating them [chances] I think sometimes it will go in. Just as you're saying about Kasper, hopefully something will fall to him. Even Shim Mheuka coming on, he looked as if he was going to get his goal, didn't happen for him."
"But yeah, just really pleased. Pleased with the performance, pleased with the energy that we showed and delighted to win."
