O’Neill looks to January as league yardstick
The Premier League champions go into today’s latest Old Firm showdown at Ibrox four points clear.
But Rangers have the incentive of being able to reduce the gap at the top to a single point and are on a high after knocking their arch rivals out of the CIS Insurance Cup last week.
O’Neill though is more concerned about being within striking distance of Alex McLeish going into the new year when he will be able to bring in some winter signings.
He explained: “This is a big game but it is a comforting thought that even if everything went wrong we will still be in front (in the league) on Saturday evening.
“But we won’t be able to make an assessment for and against until we have faced every side home and away - just after 22 league games - for an idea of where we’re going to be.
“My consideration is when the January window opens. If we have an opportunity to do anything, we want to be pretty close to Rangers at that stage and ready for the final drive-on.
“The most important issue is if we can do something in the January window we will try to do it.”
Critics claimed the balance of power could swing back in Rangers’ direction after the recent cup victory but O’Neill does not believe the victors today will necessarily go on to lift the championship trophy in May.
“The three points can go in either direction and if we lose we will still be a point ahead,” added O’Neill.
“Even if we went seven points clear I am not so sure that would strike a mortal psychological blow.
“Even if we won the game, if you ask me would that seriously dent Rangers’ plans I would say no with the distance to go. It would be great to go into the game with everybody available but even when you have all the best players available it doesn’t always work out. It’s going to be a very tough game.”
O’Neill will upset one of his goalkeepers when he names his starting line-up.
Magnus Hedman came in from the cold after 10 months out to keep a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle last week when David Marshall was rested.
The Swede also had a happier midweek with the teenager on the receiving end of a 4-1 defeat as Sweden beat Scotland.
O’Neill has to decide whether to recall Marshall but he claims he is not too concerned about hurting anybody’s feelings.
Celtic had injury problems when their seven-match winning run came to an end at Ibrox recently but O’Neill should have Stilian Petrov fully fit again after a shoulder problem.
Rangers are also boosted with the presence of Nacho Novo after his red card against Hibernian was reduced to a yellow but O’Neill is not worried too much about the Spanish star.
Veteran Alex Rae is likely to return in midfield for Rangers, McLeish having to decide whether to re-jig the midfield to keep the in-form Bob Malcolm in the side alongside Fernando Ricksen.
A number of players were away on international duty - including Serbia midfielder Dragan Mladenovic - in midweek. But all reported back unscathed.
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