Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill is delighted to win but admits they still have “two mountains to climb” in their bid to retain the Scottish title.
“It was a big win for us and I thought we were terrific in the second half, coming from behind against big rivals,” he tells BBC Scotland.
“I couldn’t be more delighted with the team and certain individuals were magnificent.
“The captain was magnificent and Daizen [Maeda] has pulled it through again.
“Rangers came to play and did well, but it was the manner we fought back.”
O’Neill Praises Maeda After Derby Win
Martin O’Neill is full of praise for two-goal Daizen Maeda following the derby win.
“He is in a rich vein of form at the moment and it’s delightful to see and he was sensational for us,” Celtic’s interim manager tells BBC Scotland.
“The negative part of the game, he is absolutely adept at that, but he galvanises the team too and he deserved the goals. They were brilliant.”
The Title Race Tightens
For the neutral, this is shaping up to be an epic end to the season.
Hearts could still win it on Wednesday night, if they beat Falkirk and Celtic lose to Motherwell. Both of those results are definitely possible.
However, the defending champions are starting to get that menacing quality back that they have had for most of the last 15 years.
Neil Lennon, former Celtic manager, said on Sky Sports that he would put Celtic as favourites, on current form, stating that it’s a two-horse race.
Neil Lennon added that Martin O’Neill will want to go out winning the title and that they were great second half.
All of a sudden, momentum’s with them.
Rangers’ Perspective
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl admits “it hurts” and “makes us angry” that his side have not only slipped out of the title race but will now finish third.
“It is a very disappointing result,” he tells BBC Scotland. “It was very competitive from both sides.
Andy Halliday, former Rangers midfielder, stated on BBC Sportsound that Martin O’Neill’s had the same transfer window Danny Rohl’s had and all of Celtic’s January signings, none of them are in the starting line-up.
Halliday added that what O’Neill’s done is make all the players Celtic already had at their disposal better.
Andy Halliday believes Danny Rohl will be the Rangers manager at the start of next season unless the Wolfsburg rumours are true.
Halliday added that, like many Rangers managers in the past, he will have to start the season very well or the pressure will be on.
The title race moves on to Wednesday night, for the penultimate round of fixtures.