Expressing shock on the feedback a couple of tie Celtic misplaced 4-2 on mixture, O’Neill stated: “So he’s choosing our staff? Nicely accomplished outdated Danny. He is solely in lower than a yr.

“I’ve to snicker. He is made a remark in regards to the choosing of our staff? Completely extraordinary. He hasn’t been in Glasgow lengthy.

“There is no want for him commenting on my staff.”

Nevertheless, what appeared to get O’Neill most irritated was the Rangers boss’ suggestion that: “I used to be a little bit bit shocked after 1-0 that they are [Celtic] not attempting to win this recreation, 2-0, 3-0, to have an opportunity. They preserve the consequence till the top.”

The Northern Irishman replied: “He desires to be concerned in a few of these video games.

“I did not see it like that. We have been pushed again as a result of they’re an excellent staff and within the prime 4 of the Bundesliga.”

All that after Rohl had insisted: “I believe, on the whole, it is not sensible to talk an excessive amount of in regards to the different facet, we now have to concentrate on ourselves.”

Therefore the battle traces have been drawn for a Glasgow derby that might be of essential significance to the vacation spot of the Scottish title.

Coronary heart of Midlothian are 4 factors away from Rangers on the prime of the Premiership and Celtic two factors additional again with a recreation in hand.

O’Neill doesn’t assume the feedback will add any gasoline to what’s often a fiery fixture.

He ought to know. Though will probably be his first league Previous Agency derby since a 2-1 win at Ibrox in April 2005, he has received eight of his final 10 in opposition to Rangers, dropping simply two, and likewise led them to a 3-1 League Cup semi-final win over Rohl’s facet in November.

That was in his first spell as interim supervisor, however Rangers reversed the scoreline at Celtic Park in January, a consequence that went some option to ushering in his second after the sacking of Wilfried Nancy.

Celtic’s first-ever win in Germany got here after a 2-1 loss at residence to Hibernian dented their home title hopes.

“We’re operating out of video games,” O’Neill admitted. “We’ve been attempting to catch up for fairly some appreciable time and we’re nonetheless attempting to try this.

“Dropping to Hibs was a setback, but it surely wasn’t mortal and we’re nonetheless there.”

Now he’s relishing a “actually nice fixture” he “by no means anticipated” to be concerned in once more.

“He [Rohl] possesses a wonderful staff over there and it will be powerful for us to get a consequence,” O’Neill admitted.

“In regular circumstances, you desire to the complete week to arrange, however we have gone to Ibrox and received earlier than after we now have performed midweek video games.”