'Don't try that' – Celtic boss O'Neill clarifies 'no threat' Rangers remarkShareMartin O'Neill recently described Rangers as "no threat" in the Scottish Premiership, in a comment that has stirred up tensions with Celtic.Martin O'Neill insists his recent criticism of Rangers referred to their league position, not an apparent chasm between them and Celtic, ahead of Sunday's Old Firm derby.After the resignation of Brendan Rodgers, O'Neill returned to Celtic Park earlier this week, over 20 years after his first spell at the helm – which brought seven trophies and a UEFA Cup final appearance – came to an end.His first game back at the helm was a 4-0 Scottish Premiership rout of Falkirk on Wednesday, as Celtic warmed up for a League Cup semi-final against their old rivals.And the build-up to that game has centred upon comments O'Neill made before he returned to management.In his role as a pundit on TalkSPORT, O'Neill recently said Rangers were "no threat" and claimed the Gers teams he faced as a manager two decades ago would "beat the current side 12-0."Rangers boss Danny Rohl insisted he was not using those comments as fuel on Friday, and O'Neill sought to explain them at his own pre-match press conference."So far adrift in the league, that's what I was talking about," O'Neill interjected when asked about the "no threat" comment. "I've been used to having my words tangled around here for 20-odd years, so don't try that."Hearts were eight points clear of us. That's a deficit. I didn't say there was a deficit in terms of [Rangers] catching up with us. So let me make that absolutely clear."O'Neill's very first Old Firm derby as Celtic boss, in August 2000, resulted in a 6-2 win for his team – the club's biggest victory over their Glasgow neighbours since the 1957 League Cup final.He said he was unaware of the proximity of the derby when he agreed to return on a short-term basis, joking he would have rejected the offer if he knew Celtic's schedule."When I came in, obviously, I hadn't seen the fixture list," he said. "If I had, I probably would've stayed at home!"But I'm excited by the fixture. It's always a great one and I think I'm looking forward to it! There's a nervousness for about 72 hours before."But if you get the result, there's a great relief. The great Walter Smith used to say that, it's a relief, more than anything else. "They're fantastic fixtures, and when the stadiums had the full allocation of away supporters, that always helped."'Don't try that' – Celtic boss O'Neill clarifies 'no threat' Rangers remarkMartin O'Neill recently described Rangers as "no threat" in the Scottish Premiership, in a comment that has stirred up tensions with Celtic.Martin O'Neill insists his recent criticism of Rangers referred to their league position, not an apparent chasm between them and Celtic, ahead of Sunday's Old Firm derby.After the resignation of Brendan Rodgers, O'Neill returned to Celtic Park earlier this week, over 20 years after his first spell at the helm – which brought seven trophies and a UEFA Cup final appearance – came to an end.His first game back at the helm was a 4-0 Scottish Premiership rout of Falkirk on Wednesday, as Celtic warmed up for a League Cup semi-final against their old rivals.And the build-up to that game has centred upon comments O'Neill made before he returned to management.In his role as a pundit on TalkSPORT, O'Neill recently said Rangers were "no threat" and claimed the Gers teams he faced as a manager two decades ago would "beat the current side 12-0."Rangers boss Danny Rohl insisted he was not using those comments as fuel on Friday, and O'Neill sought to explain them at his own pre-match press conference."So far adrift in the league, that's what I was talking about," O'Neill interjected when asked about the "no threat" comment. "I've been used to having my words tangled around here for 20-odd years, so don't try that."Hearts were eight points clear of us. That's a deficit. I didn't say there was a deficit in terms of [Rangers] catching up with us. So let me make that absolutely clear."O'Neill's very first Old Firm derby as Celtic boss, in August 2000, resulted in a 6-2 win for his team – the club's biggest victory over their Glasgow neighbours since the 1957 League Cup final.He said he was unaware of the proximity of the derby when he agreed to return on a short-term basis, joking he would have rejected the offer if he knew Celtic's schedule."When I came in, obviously, I hadn't seen the fixture list," he said. "If I had, I probably would've stayed at home!"But I'm excited by the fixture. It's always a great one and I think I'm looking forward to it! There's a nervousness for about 72 hours before."But if you get the result, there's a great relief. The great Walter Smith used to say that, it's a relief, more than anything else. "They're fantastic fixtures, and when the stadiums had the full allocation of away supporters, that always helped."