Expressing shock on the comments a few tie Celtic misplaced 4-2 on combination, O’Neill stated: “So he is picking our team? Well done old Danny. He’s only in less than a year.
“I’ve to giggle. He’s made a remark in regards to the choosing of our group? Absolutely extraordinary. He hasn’t been in Glasgow lengthy.
“There’s no need for him commenting on my team.”
However, what appeared to get O’Neill most irritated was the Rangers boss’ suggestion that: “I was a little bit surprised after 1-0 that they’re [Celtic] not trying to win this game, 2-0, 3-0, to have a chance. They keep the result until the end.”
The Northern Irishman replied: “He wants to be involved in some of these games.
“I did not see it like that. We had been pushed again as a result of they’re an excellent group and within the high 4 of the Bundesliga.”
All that after Rohl had insisted: “I feel, generally, it is senseless to talk an excessive amount of in regards to the different facet, we have now to concentrate on ourselves.”
Hence the battle lines have been drawn for a Glasgow derby that could be of crucial importance to the destination of the Scottish title.
Heart of Midlothian are four points clear of Rangers at the top of the Premiership and Celtic two points further back with a game in hand.
O’Neill does not think the comments will add any fuel to what is usually a fiery fixture.
He should know. Although it will be his first league Old Firm derby since a 2-1 win at Ibrox in April 2005, he has won eight of his last 10 against Rangers, losing just two, and also led them to a 3-1 League Cup semi-final win over Rohl’s side in November.
That was in his first spell as interim manager, but Rangers reversed the scoreline at Celtic Park in January, a result that went some way to ushering in his second after the sacking of Wilfried Nancy.
Celtic’s first-ever win in Germany came after a 2-1 loss at home to Hibernian dented their domestic title hopes.
“We are working out of video games,” O’Neill admitted. “We have been making an attempt to catch up for fairly some appreciable time and we’re nonetheless making an attempt to do this.
“Losing to Hibs was a setback, but it wasn’t mortal and we’re still there.”
Now he’s relishing a “really great fixture” he “never expected” to be concerned in once more.
“He [Rohl] possesses a fine team over there and it is going to be tough for us to get a result,” O’Neill admitted.
“In normal circumstances, you would like the full week to prepare, but we’ve gone to Ibrox and won before after we have played midweek games.”
