FORMER Celtic manager Martin O’Neill knows that his former side have some catching up to do if they’re to win the Scottish Premiership next season.

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Rangers had the league title tied up by March 7 this term and still enjoy a 20-point lead over their city rivals.

Furthermore, Celtic haven’t won in their last four meetings with Steven Gerrard’s side. Last recording a victory in an Old Firm in the League Cup final at the tail end of 2020.

Such an alarming dip in form this season, and the likelihood that some big names could depart Parkhead this summer, has led to many building up the size of the task that awaits Celtic's next manager.

But, when quizzed about the catch-up job his former side must undertake, O’Neill believed that a gap in quality was not the sole reason for Rangers’ dominance this season.

He told the Go Radio Football Show: “Rangers have won the league and looked particular strong, they’ve been able to win matches that in previous seasons they would drop those points.

The Herald:

“Celtic have still got some exceptionally good football players who have been worthy of that position over the last number of years.”

Addressing the scale of the job which awaits an incoming Celtic manager this summer, O’Neill added.

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“If it’s a big concerted effort... I don’t think it might be the incredible job that one might be led to believe at this minute.”