Brendan Rodgers replacement tipped Celtic rival to win title | Football | Sport

Celtic have brought in Martin O’Neill as a temporary replacement for Brendan Rodgers, despite his recent comments that Hearts are “a different kettle of fish” and could potentially disrupt the Old Firm’s dominance in Scotland. O’Neill, who previously managed Celtic for five years from 2000 and achieved significant success at Parkhead, has returned to help stabilise the club following Rodgers’ shock resignation on Monday, which sparked a fiery response from the club’s management.

Now aged 73, O’Neill will take over on an interim basis, with support from ex-Celtic player Shaun Maloney, who was dismissed from his role as Wigan head coach in March. This change in management follows the reigning champions falling eight points behind in the league over the weekend.

The team suffered a defeat at the hands of current leaders Hearts, losing 3-1 at Tynecastle, adding to their challenging start to the season. With Rodgers choosing to step down, O’Neill now faces the task of closing the gap at the top, despite having previously backed Hearts to overthrow the Hoops.

Speaking on talkSPORT hours before taking the Celtic job, he said: “I know this time last year that Aberdeen had won a host of games early on, and you knew it was never sustainable. With Hearts, it’s a different kettle of fish here.

“Celtic are not that physically strong and can actually lose matches. Rangers are no threat whatsoever. Although, with the new manager coming in, like you Jim, I think he can maybe do something in time. But they are so far adrift it’s untrue.

“But this is the moment for Hearts. Eight points clear, and that is a decent enough lead. Their confidence is growing and it’ll grow from that victory as well. All the things happening for Hearts are great, whereas, at Celtic, they’re in a wee bit of trouble. I agree with you, though, this is the best time for any side outside of the Old Firm to go all the way.”

The Hoops had secured the championship during their two campaigns under Rodgers after his comeback for a second stint at the helm.

Yet this season, frustration became increasingly apparent.

The Glasgow giants suffered an embarrassing elimination in the Champions League qualifying rounds, with Rodgers publicly criticising the club’s failure to back him in the transfer market.

Following his departure, Celtic’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond delivered a damning verdict on the former Liverpool manager, stating: “his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the board.”