MON returns: Rohl those sleeves up Danny, Rangers have a fight now | OneFootball

Without outright running scared, Ibrox Noise notes the return of Martin O’Neill at Celtic. Obviously the mood was extremely high following Rangers’ titanic win over that lot at Parkhead. But there were a few caveats which we were at pains to point out as well. As we said before, it was the biggest smash and grab we had seen in quite a while. Danny Rohl v Martin O’Neill promises intrigue.

The Parkhead Reality

While Danny Rohl became the first Rangers manager in 16 years to win a meaningful match at Parkhead with a crowd present, context mattered. There was a little luck involved and a stunning performance from Jack Butland to thank. There was also the fact a chronically shocking Celtic were made to look world beaters till the second goal. Wilfried Nancy, now departed, is the worst Old Firm manager either side has ever had. Yet Rangers made him look brilliant for at least 50+ minutes of that match. This shows how much work still remains.

Why This Still Matters

Even though Rangers won convincingly in the end, Celtic needed only an uninspired Jack Butland and they’d have strolled it. They would have run away with the game otherwise. What does this mean. It means they now have a manager.

The Impact of Martin O’Neill

The return of Martin O’Neill will restore Celtic’s spine. It will make them far more solid. Those who remember his first spell know what followed. Martin O’Neill made Celtic a powerhouse in Scotland. He bullied Rangers. He wiped the floor with us completely. He was an extremely tough operator. His more recent interim spell was not far off that level. It was a very different squad but results were still incredible. They went to Feyenoord and won for heaven’s sake. Now he has returned once more. There is no question this changes the picture.

The Title Picture Shifts

Celtic will be favourites again. Hearts and Rangers will likely be joint second in odds and projection. That is the likely outlook.

January Just Got Bigger

This January window has now become even more important for Rangers. Danny Rohl cannot sign EFL slop. The James Penrice types and the Josh Windass ideas will not do. He needs to sign quality. You can be absolutely sure Martin O’Neill will be tougher than the Nancy boy ever was.

A Familiar Move

It is a shrewd move from Celtic. They needed something fast to appease their hordes. Unfortunately for us, they did the right thing. They brought in who they see as their Walter. If we remember Walter Smith returning to Rangers in 2007, the impact was colossal. He took over from the shambles of Paul Le Guen. Rangers became the best team in Scotland almost overnight. 3IAR followed shortly after.

The Warning

That is the impact Celtic will want now. Martin O’Neill is a tough customer. He is a far better manager than Wilfried Nancy ever was. He is also a better Celtic manager than Brendan Rodgers. That is astonishing given Rodgers’ trophy haul. Rangers must get the finger out this January. Otherwise, even if we beat Hearts to second, that is the ceiling. We will not beat Martin O’Neill’s Celtic in our current form by a long way. Things have changed. Danny Rohl had better be ready for Danny Rohl v Martin O’Neill.