Martin O’Neill rips Rangers to bits on talkSPORT after Celtic’s ‘gulf’ accusation

Martin O’Neill rips Rangers to bits on talkSPORT after Celtic’s ‘gulf’ accusation

Martin O’Neill completely disagreed with Graeme Souness’ assessment of the qualitative gap between Rangers and Celtic. Souness said this week that there isn’t much between the teams, with tight Old Firms ultimately deciding the battle for first place.

However, following the 2-1 loss at Parkhead, O’Neill claims that the current Gers squad is the worst he has seen in a lot of years, with John Lundstram in particular receiving criticism. “I think there is a gulf,” he stated on talkSPORT [May 17, 10:05am]. “I’m sorry, but I need to argue this with Graeme. “Rangers were painfully poor – really, really poor – the other day in a game that was quite crucial to them. [Celtic] might have been out of sight by halftime. [John] Lundstram gets himself sent off, which is really stupid [challenge].

That’s as poor a Rangers side that I’ve seen in years – that’s my view. The side that Rangers had in the year 2000-01 would have beaten this Rangers side about 6-0.

“I think there is a genuine difference, there’s no question about it. I think there is quite obviously a gulf at this minute. And Rangers have to do something about it. Rangers need better players, it’s as simple as that.”

Rangers have massive summer transfer window to come
You can understand the point Souness is making. Take Old Firm results out of the equation and the sides would have been level on points.

However, that is going down the ‘if my auntie had wheels’ route. The games between the sides are always going to have a massive say on who wins the title.

However, since Philippe Clement replaced Michael Beale, Rangers have been a superior side than Celtic, or at least on level with them. While the gap between the sides is not as wide as O’Neill claims, it is fair to assume that Clement will require at least a couple of extra top-tier players this summer. Finding them is easier said than done, but the focus will shift from the moment the full-time whistle blows in the forthcoming Scottish Cup final.

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