Martin O'Neill is gearing up for what he believes will be his final Old Firm derby, as Celtic prepare to host Rangers on Sunday in a match that could define the title race. The interim manager, unbeaten in three meetings with Rangers this season, is relishing the challenge of keeping the defending champions in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership crown.
With just three games left, Celtic trail league leaders Hearts by three points. Hearts, who boast a superior goal difference, face Motherwell on Saturday, meaning the pressure is on O'Neill's side to deliver a result at Celtic Park. It's a position unfamiliar to the club, which has dominated Scottish football for over a decade, winning 13 of the last 14 titles.
"It's not a position that the football club has found itself in in recent years," said the 74-year-old. "Generally speaking, they've gone clear and there's been no opposition. There's been plenty of opposition this year, not just from Rangers but obviously from Hearts. So it is a big, big change, not something that a number of these players have been used to. You have to get used to it. You've been chasing, you have to keep chasing."
O'Neill received a major boost ahead of the derby, confirming that influential forward Daizen Maeda is fit to play. The Japanese star, who has been in scintillating form with four goals in his last three matches, picked up a knock in last weekend's 2-1 win away to Hibernian but has trained without any reaction. "He's fine, which is really, really good," O'Neill said. "He has trained and he has got no reaction. He's had a super couple of weeks."
Celtic head into the clash on a four-match winning streak in the league, while Rangers have stumbled with back-to-back defeats. However, Rangers did win on their last visit to Celtic Park in January, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this showdown. O'Neill, who won 16 derbies during his first stint at the club between 2000 and 2005, will be hoping to add one more victory to his legacy.
As the title race heats up, this Old Firm derby promises to be a defining moment in the season. For fans, it's not just about bragging rights—it's about keeping the dream of another championship alive.