'Toxically beautiful' - O'Neill makes Old Firm admission on air in Rangers and Celtic verdict

Martin O’Neill has admitted he doesn’t believe any derby clash compares to the Old Firm matches between Rangers and Celtic.

Philippe Clement’s Gers and Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops met for the first time this season in the final game before the international break, with Celtic running out 3-0 winners over the Light Blues at Parkhead.

Although O’Neill admits his experience of matches between Birmingham City and Aston Villa were “toxic” he believes that there is something “wonderful” about the Old Firm that sets it apart.

Speaking on talkSPORT on Friday (13 September, 10:51) he said: “I genuinely don’t think that anything compares to the Celtic and Rangers game or contrasts with it.

“It’s toxically beautiful if there is such a thing. It’s magical, you know what it’s going to be about, sectarianism abounds, but there is something wonderful about the game and the atmosphere is absolutely unbelievable.

“That’s at both grounds Celtic and Ibrox and last week I think we just touched on the idea that there are no away fans does take away from it.

“Birmingham, Villa is pretty toxic as well, maybe less beautiful in that sense. That’s a big game, that’s a big, big match.”

When do Rangers play Celtic at Ibrox in next Old Firm clash?

As O’Neill suggests, there is something incredible about the Old Firm derby that isn’t replicated in any other match. The two sides and supporters genuinely hate one another and that is demonstrated in the stands and on the pitch.

Unfortunately, the lack of travelling supporters over the last few seasons has harmed that atmosphere in recent years, but the steps appear to be in place for that to be put to an end sooner rather than later.

While there won’t be any Celtic supporters at Ibrox at the turn of the year, there should be travelling fans at Parkhead and Ibrox for the second run of fixtures in the second half of the campaign if everything goes to plan.

But anyone who has ever experienced the atmosphere between the two clubs on a matchday will agree with O’Neill that there are few derbies in football that are bigger, particularly when all supporters are inside the ground.

In other Rangers news, concerns around Jack Butland have emerged at Ibrox after recent developments in Glasgow

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