Sunday 20 May 2018 20:57, UK
Martin O’Neill believes the appointment of Steven Gerrard as Rangers manager is a good move and is hopeful his arrival could signal greater competition in Scottish football.
Celtic secured an historic double treble on Saturday with victory over Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final to underline their dominance in the domestic scene since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers.
Gerrard will officially start his tenure at Ibrox on June 1 and O'Neill reckons the former Liverpool captain could bridge some of the distance between the Old Firm rivals - should he be able to recruit this summer.
"If they [Rangers] are in a position to delve into a transfer market and get some decent players then that will be a little reminder to Celtic."
"It would be nice if Rangers could get stronger and that seems as if it might be on the cards. A good, strong Rangers side is good for the league and it would be remarkably good for Celtic," O'Neill said.
"There doesn't seem domestically any resting of laurels here. If that competition gets stronger I think Celtic will rise to it.
"If they [Rangers] are in a position to delve into a transfer market and get some decent players then that will be a little reminder to Celtic.
"Celtic are dominating the league, they are very strong indeed at the moment.
"I don't think in Brendan's time there has been such a thing as casualness, proven by the six competitions that have been won. I think he would welcome that [competition] as well."
Despite questions over Gerrard's inexperience at managerial level - his only post has been as Liverpool U18s coach - the experienced Republic of Ireland manager considers the 37-year-old well equipped for the challenge.
"Personally I think it is a really good appointment. I know there is always a viewpoint of inexperience, but he is bringing along Gary McAllister, who has loads of experience," the former Hoops manager said.
"The combination should be good and I think it will be really good for Rangers.
"Obviously, he was a brilliant player - that doesn't necessarily materialise into being a brilliant manager, but he seems to have all the attributes and he wants to have a go. Why not?"
O'Neill, who was speaking after leading a Republic of Ireland side in Scott Brown's testimonial at Celtic Park on Sunday (the game finished 2-2), says Celtic have the capacity to reach a European showpiece, almost 15 years to the day since the club played Porto in the 2003 UEFA Cup final.
"I think it can be done again. Are there four qualification rounds now? That's really tough," he said.
"Those are the games that used to worry me and I know you never believed me.
"Games you would think you would win in October and November against the opposition, at the beginning of the season were always a difficulty. Hopefully those days are not gone."
