Old Firm clash date laughable, says O’Neill

MARTIN O’NEILL yesterday branded the decision to schedule Celtic’s Bank of Scotland SPL Old Firm clash with Rangers for April 27 as “laughable.”

The Celtic manager is astonished that his side will be forced to play what could be a championship decider at Ibrox just two days after his weary stars fly back from playing the second leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final against Boavista in Portugal.

Chief executive Ian McLeod has already been very critical of the SP's decision, but a jovial O'Neill chose to mock those running Scotland's top flight.

"I thought they might have changed the fixture and played it Friday morning," smirked O'Neill.

"I was pretty relieved myself the plane should be in by that time. I'm sure even Rangers could be embarrassed by this. People are talking about us being over the top by complaining, but talking of unsporting behaviour I suppose the SPL could fine themselves.

"Nothing surprises me in my time in football it is an amazing decision. They want the season to be tight, close and exciting." Asked whether he thought there was an increased likelihood of crowd trouble, O'Neill said: "There is always the possibility of these things happening. It can happen at any given Old Firm game."