Celtic and Rangers spurn drinks tradition - and goalkeeper conundrum could be solved by Aston Villa

Such a gesture might not have been on the cards anyway given the cool way they exchanged a handshake as recently as last weekend. O’Neill’s penultimate and now last Ibrox matches have fallen within seven days of each other. These appointments form part of a relentless schedule that has seen Celtic regain some momentum following the 2-1 defeat against Hibs last month.

It’s still possible that O’Neill can bow out at Parkhead as a septuagenarian double-winning manager. In order for them to prolong their interest in the Scottish Cup, Celtic will have to play a lot better than in the first half of the most recent league game, when, according to O’Neill afterwards, “we were not even second best”.

The 74-year-old proved his worth again with a couple of half-time changes that brought the visitors roaring back into contention in the eventual 2-2 draw. It isn’t only the sight of O’Neill on the sidelines that will provide another blast of nostalgia this time around. So, too, will seeing – and hearing – over 7,000 Celtic fans in the Broomloan Stand. Scottish Cup rules dictate that the recent policy of paltry allocations for away fans in Old Firm fixtures must be abandoned. Not since 2018 has such a large contingent followed Celtic into Govan.

When was the last time O’Neill shared a post-match glass of something with an Old Firm opposition manager? The Northern Irishman had to think hard about that one on Friday afternoon at Lennoxtown as he contemplated a final trip to Ibrox across his three spells at Celtic. “Well, Little Dick (Advocaat) didn't ever bring me in anyway,” he replied.

“That's number one (reason for not going in for a drink). I reciprocated at the other end by not doing the same. Alright, so I can't just blame him. I don't think that it is a thing (now). I didn't want to go in this time in case the manager picked my team for me!

“Did I go in once with Alex (McLeish) who I got on really well with? I might have done, but that might have been by accident. I might have just walked down the wrong corridor and just knocked the door. It’s not something that I would be bothered about doing.”

The little dig at Rohl continued the theme of last weekend. O’Neill had expressed surprise upon hearing that Rohl had even entertained a question about who might play in goal for Celtic. “It will be interesting….let’s see,” the German had commented somewhat archly. He also questioned O’Neill’s tactics in the midweek Europa League clash with Stuttgart.

“Absolutely extraordinary,” was O’Neill’s not unexpected reaction when this was put to him a few hours later. “So he’s picking our team!? Well done old Danny!” It wasn’t a particularly auspicious way for these new Old Firm rivals to begin their relationship.

The latest on Celtic’s goalkeeping call

O’Neill might nevertheless welcome some help picking his team for this weekend’s re-match. He really does have a big decision to make over whether to continue with Viljami Sinisalo in goal or recall Kasper Schmeichel, who trained on Friday for the first time since receiving an injection for a shoulder complaint. His recent absence following recent criticism of his performances was attributed to illness.

Whether or not O’Neill brings Schmeichel back in the Ibrox hothouse remains to be seen. The large number of supposedly friendly fans banked up behind the Dane for one half might be more hindrance than help after he was booed by his own supporters during the first leg against Stuttgart, when Celtic lost 4-1.

O’Neill reckons he is now more likely to consider players' feelings when making personnel decisions. This could be a clue he is preparing to reinstate the experienced Schmeichel for a match that might be decided by a penalty shootout. He has had to make big goalkeeper calls before, not only at Celtic. As O’Neill pointed out, having played in front of Peter Shilton and Pat Jennings for club and country, he ought to know a thing or two about goalkeeping.

“At Aston Villa, we got to the League Cup final in 2010,” he recalled. “I had two very good American goalkeepers – Brad Friedel, a really great goalkeeper, and Brad Guzan who I fought long and hard to get a work permit for.

“He was a young keeper. The matches leading up the final Brad Guzan had played – in fact we played up at Sunderland and he carried us single handedly over the line. He was also a great fellow. And then the semi-final v Blackburn I think it was we actually won the second leg 6-4 – it was not an aggregate score, it was 6-4 (on the night).

“It might not have been a great evening for him. His form started to dip a wee bit. I went in on the morning of the game and it was very difficult to leave him out because he had got us there. But I went for Brad Friedel, partly in terms of experience but partly because young Guzan’s form had not been great. So that is one I do remember.”

At Celtic, he signed Javier Sanchez Broto when doubts persisted over Robert Douglas and Magnus Hedman. O'Neill was also prepared to put his faith in David Marshall, then 19, in the Nou Camp against Barcelona, although options were limited due to Douglas’ suspension.

“I think the way I managed in those days would be a wee bit different to how I'm managing now,” he reflected. “I'd be more... I'd be wilder. Or I worried less about players' feelings.” His own feelings might have been hurt by Kenny Dalglish’s observation earlier this week that O’Neill is sprightlier now than when he was a player. “I was a lumberjack by comparison (to him),” he agreed. Some big trees need to be felled on this home straight, starting at Ibrox.

The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly