Rohl’s difficult opponent remarks, Celtic doing the celebrating

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The Celtic Star

·7 March 2026

Rohl’s difficult opponent remarks, Celtic doing the celebrating

Danny Rohl has managed to hog the headlines once again in the build up to the latest Glasgow derby at Ibrox tomorrow afternoon in the eagerly awaited Scottish Cup quarter final…

Danny Rohl and Martin O’Neill look on during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The German is full of confidence

The German is full of confidence for such a young manager, and he desperately tried to start another war of mind games by claiming the current champions of Scotland aren’t the Ibrox club’s most difficult opponent.

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This has led to much gleeful discussion in the Scottish mainstream media, and between the supporters of both clubs, which was the desired effect all along I suppose.

theRangers Unveil New Manager Danny Röhl at Ibrox Stadium on October 21, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rohl has failed to get the better of Martin O’Neill on two occasions

But to be fair to Rohl, on this occasion I reckon he’s got a point, despite his failure to beat a Celtic side under the leadership of Martin O’Neill on two occasions, his opinion very much stands up to scrutiny.

Yes I must admit I wouldn’t view Celtic as a dangerous opponent right now, not just in the eyes of a club who have outspent every other club in the country only to currently occupy third place. Yes, Celtic’s standards have dropped this season, that’s the reality of the situation, no one fears us anymore, and that puts us in the same boat as the Rangers.

Martin O’Neill applauds the Celtic support. theRangers v Celtic. 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

There’s a pack of half decent teams in top half of league, not just one outstanding one

The same could very much be said from a Celtic perspective. For me, the Rangers, whilst a half decent side, don’t fear me at this moment in time, but it’s a different story in regard to league leaders Hearts, or in form Motherwell, or even high flying Falkirk, who would pose as much of or even a bigger threat in my eyes.

Going to Ibrox tomorrow in a cup tie with 8000 supporters cheering us on should be treated with great optimism, especially after our second half showing at the same venue last week. Rohl might not fear the Celtic that turned up in the first half last week but the thought of Celtic playing like we did in the second 45 minutes will secretly terrify the German.

Could you say the same if we were heading to Tynecastle, Fir Park, or even the Falkirk stadium, or any other domestic away venue? Of course you wouldn’t, showing that the Rangers are far from our most difficult opponents.

Rohl’s only Glasgow Derby win came against the hopeless Wilfried Nancy

Rohl’s only win against Celtic came during the Wilfied Nancy madness – a win’s a win but this time Celtic will have a better tactical approach under an experienced and successful manager. The game last week ended in a draw. Celtic had the upper hand in the second half and had the better chances to win the game. This time Celtic has the benefit of a much bigger support and being back in the Free Broomloan the Celtic support is going to be loud.

Motherwell, under the astute guidance of Jens Berthel Askou, could move within a point of Rohl’s team today, Hearts are clear at the top. Hibs and Falkirk are capable of talking points of anyone in the league and will probably do just that post split. Both Celtic and the Rangers this season have plenty to worry about instead of just each other as is usually the case.

In reality over the past decade it’s been the Rangers doing the worrying.