The Parkhead hero reveals in his latest exclusive column for Record Sport how he was really surprised at some of the comments from the German boss
06:00, 07 Mar 2026Updated 13:01, 07 Mar 2026
Rangers v Celtic – Scottish Cup Glasgow derby preview
There was some flak heading my way this week for suggesting the biggest hindrance to Hearts winning the league might be the actions of Derek McInnes.
I stand by that opinion. But, likewise, I believe Rangers might have a similar problem with Danny Rohl.
It’s not the actions of the Rangers manager that could be the problem thought – it’s the words.
If people had listened fully to what I said about McInnes they would have heard me singing his praises.
He’s done an outstanding job getting Hearts top of the league and staying there for five months.
People talk about Jamestown Analytics but it’s McInnes that has pulled this squad together and got them over-performing to a spectacular level.
I think he’ll get them over the line – if he doesn’t get too excited on the sidelines, like we saw with stuff like him him barging into Aberdeen players, getting involved with Hibs fans and clashing with Celtic’s backroom team.
It’s a time for cool heads. Similarly at Ibrox.
Rohl showed signs of losing his before the Celtic game last week – and it will be interesting to see how he gets on this weekend in the Scottish Cup rematch.
I was really surprised Rohl got mixed up in talking about Celtic’s team section and European performances before the league match.
It’s kind of an unwritten rule in football not to talk about oppositions teams like that – especially when it’s Celtic.
Rangers manager Danny Rohl and Celtic boss Martin O’Neill
There was no need to react to Luke McCowan’s comments but it was the comments about the European performance and who would be playing that was bizarre. And it came back to bite him a bit.
I think even Rangers fans would rather he minded his own business, as he’s got plenty to ponder himself.
It will be really interesting to see how Sunday goes on the back of last weekend.
I think this is a bigger game for Rohl than O’Neill.
People will – rightly – cut him some slack for getting Rangers back in the title race after the start they had.
But it does look like his ego got away from him a little bit. He should be concentrating on what really matters rather than a silly tit-for-tat.
And the last manager you want to engage in a battle of wits is Martin O’Neill.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill at training(Image: SNS Group)
Clearly, Rohl is a good coach but you can get your comeuppance if you don’t back it up.
The reality Is Rangers are unlikely to come up against a Celtic side as weak as this one and that means there’s a pressure to take advantage.
If I was Callum McGregor and I got my hands on the Premiership trophy this season, I wouldn’t even celebrate. I’d be laughing my head off.
I really would.
If Celtic win the league it would be a robbery. Of course the team with the most points at the end will deserve it, but with all that has gone on at Parkhead, it would be utterly remarkable.
The Scottish Cup is a different matter but it might end up a vital trophy for Celtic and Rangers if Hearts can get the job done in the league.
Anything could happen again this weekend. We saw it last Sunday. It was the cliched game of two halves.
You wonder how Rangers will approach it having been so dominant and then folding. Likewise, how will Celtic set up this time around after being so far off the pace in that woeful first half?
O’Neill’s team selections have screams of a manager desperately trying to find some kind of magic formula.
It’s been like names out of a tombola at times and there could be more surprises on Sunday.
Celtic’s deficiencies in the final third are glaring, with no strikers looking capable of being reliable goal scores.
Who knows what’s happening with Kelechi Iheanacho as he only can play in Europe it seems, while Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu haven’t showed yet the are the ones who can be trusted to lead the line.
That leaves Daizen Maeda again. He made a difference though the middle in the second half last week and I’d expect him to get the call again this time.
But he’s really going to have to rediscover his goal scoring touch, otherwise it’s going to be another struggle.
Then there’s how to fit in the great enigma that is Benjamin Nygren, who needs to be on the pitch for his goal threat but it means Celtic can’t control games in midfield.
At the back, you’d expect O’Neil to draft in Auston Trusty despite Benjamin Arthur shoring up well at Pittodrie and Dane Murray winning everything in the air at Ibrox in the league game.
Tursty just has that experience – but he has to keep it simple rather than thinking he’s a player.
What is clear is, if Celtic are to kick on and claim silverware this season, their performance levels have to improve.
They can’t keep getting away with it. Yes, the late goals are a positive in terms of fighting spirit and so on.
At some stage though, they will come a cropper. The displays have to improve because after this cup game, I wouldn’t put any money on Celtic beating Motherwell in the league next week, or both Dundee clubs up afterwards for that matter.
And the same goes for Rangers.
In years gone by, you’d think the winners of the Scottish Cup will come from this tie at Ibrox.
I don’t think you can hang your hat on it this year – because both teams have their weaknesses.
And that’s what makes this latest encounter absolutely impossible to predict.