‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH,’ CELTIC LEGEND’S IBROX ANXIETY

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CELTIC legend Martin O’Neill has admitted he is worried about the dreadful form of RANGERS!

The former Hoops boss is concerned that the Ibrox side as so awful that it could impact on Brendan Rodgers’ side as they chase a fourth successive title and their thirteenth crown in 14 years.

The continued decline of Philippe Clement’s team could blunt the Parkhead men’s focus to remain sharp while responding to a challenge from across Glasgow.

Instead, Aberdeen have taken up the role as challengers to Celtic’s quest for a remarkable untainted FIFTY-FIFTH championship in their glorious history.

VICTOR AND VANQUISHED…Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement on the Hampden touchline last season when Celtic won the Scottish Cup on May 25.

The Pittodrie side came back from two goals adrift to earn a 2-2 draw in the east end of Glasgow on Saturday and provide the Govan club with the opportunity to edge within three points of the leaders 24 hours later.

However, Clement winced in anguish as he watched his players blow the chance in a fairly tepid display against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park where a strike from Marley Watkins made certain they would be going home with nothing to show for their timid efforts.

The Ibrox outfit have now lost to Celtic and Killie, drawn with Hearts and are six points off the pace after only eight games.

O’Neill, 72, said: “There has to be an improvement. Even looking at it from a Celtic viewpoint – hopefully, Brendan would agree with me here – for Celtic to remain strong, really, really strong, you need a strong Rangers.

“I have often said, while I might not have admitted that during the time I was the manager, it is very important, so that Celtic keep focused.

“If Rangers are so poor, if you thought Aberdeen were going to be your nearest challenger, with the greatest respect, then you would think, over a whole season, you would automatically think you could win.”

O’Neill, speaking to talkSPORT, continued: “They [Rangers] are not good enough. As a manager, you have to get the very best, you have to eke out results, a clear pattern about your team, the way they are going to play.

DRIVEN TO DRINK…Philippe Clement on the touchline.

“You have to just hang in there. Go and win the games, no matter how ugly it is, go and win the game.

“There was an opportunity there, Celtic had dropped a couple of points, that is the team you have to be concerned about. However, you get the result, just go and get it.”

Reflecting on the blankey-blank display from Clement’s faltering unit, O’Neill added: “They didn’t look like scoring a goal, that was the whole point.

“That is the feeling you get about this particular side. They have to go and win, eke out three consecutive victories to give themselves a bit of hope and a bit of confidence.”

Celtic will play Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday at 3pm, the same time as Clement’s side face St Mirren at Ibrox.

Three days later, the champions are at home to Dundee while their city neighbours travel to the north east to take on Jimmy Thelin’s rejuvenated Dons.

CLEMENT’S CALAMITY ON BIG DAY

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