Hearts title rivals stance on split controversy laid bare as Rangers and Celtic bosses dismiss conspiracies
Martin O’Neill and Danny Rohl have had their say on the post-split schedule
Despite Rangers legend Ally McCoist claiming Celtic are ‘running it’ after the split fixtures announcement, both Martin O’Neill and Danny Rohl aren’t entertaining the possibility of conspiracy theories.
Hearts will travel to Celtic on the final day of the season - breaking a 13-year tradition of the league leaders going into the split being rewarded with a home finale. The Jambos will also face fellow title hopefuls Rangers at 5:30pm on a Bank Holiday Monday in a far from ideal kick-off time for the Tynecastle faithful, which also happens to be the day after their player of the year ceremony. Despite this, Derek McInnes had few complaints about the fixture schedule and was instead excited that his team will travel to the east end of Glasgow on May 16, for what could be the ‘most dramatic’ fixture possible.
O’Neill isn’t quite looking that far ahead to the final day as he echoed McInnes’ thoughts that Rangers will also have a part to play in proceedings until then. Speaking ahead of Celtic’s home clash against St Mirren this weekend, the Celtic boss gave his mathematical understanding of why they’ve been allocated a home tie on the final day, while also maintaining Hearts are in pole position. Meanwhile, Danny Rohl is hoping to use the schedule to Rangers’ ‘advantage’.
O’Neill on post-split debacle
When asked about Celtic’s last five matches, O’Neill responded: “I heard a couple of conspiracy theories. I thought that was just us over the years! I think we have the same number of home games as away games, so I don’t know what the argument is about. So we have the three home games.
“I believe that normally speaking, the Celtic versus Rangers game would have been one that they would try to get out of the road, first of all, pretty well quickly so that it doesn't decide anything. But then I believe that particular weekend there's a march on, and that obviously takes precedence. So Rangers come into the middle because they're not going to be the last one. Unless we wanted to forfeit a home game and just play in a neutral venue?”
The Celtic boss isn’t looking too far ahead to the Hearts fixture just yet as a potential decider. He continued: “That's a long way off. It's certainly a long way off for us, so that's not what I would be thinking about. And I think that Rangers would have a big part to play in proceedings, so I don't think that they (Hearts) want to be talking about any title deciders. I would rather be in Hearts’ position at this minute in the lead and with games running out, that's not a bad position to be in. But, I think it could go anyway, really.”
Rohl takes ‘game-by-game’ approach for season run-in
Much like his Old Firm counterpart, the Rangers boss is also refusing to look too far ahead in terms of the schedule as they face a tough trip to Falkirk on Sunday. That being said, Rohl also thinks if they win their next few games, it could give them a psychological advantage going into the next Old Firm derby. He said: "First we have to take on Falkirk away, it's a difficult one, then Motherwell then a big game against Hearts then Celtic. I think it makes no sense to look too far ahead. It's game by game, and if we do our job we have a good chance."
"It could also be a great advantage for us. If we start really well and take all the points until the Celtic game maybe we are top of the table, but we have to work hard. It won't be easy. There will be some exciting results, you have some teams that play with freedom and have nothing to lose and I think that is a big advantage for them. But we are prepared for this and looking forward."