Speaking exclusively to BOYLE Sports , former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has assessed the state of play at the top of the Scottish Premiership .
Strachan has backed Martin O'Neill as the right man for Celtic after he changed his mind about stepping away, and insisted he never wrote off Derek McInnes and Rangers in a title race he believes is very much alive.
The former Celtic boss has also addressed the fan protest against Dermot Desmond , hailed James Penrice 's progress at Rangers , assessed Marink Reedijk 's start at Hibs , and praised the remarkable rise of Stenhousemuir .
Celtic
Are You Pleased Martin O'Neill Changed His Mind?
Every manager has a moment of doubt after a painful defeat where they question if they want to continue. But after stepping back and reflecting, Martin O'Neill realised how good the opportunity at Celtic is. People scrutinise body language, but managers process defeat in different ways. It was good to see Celtic respond with a strong performance after the break. You can tell when a manager owns their interviews; it was good to see Celtic play so well. Martin is the right man for the job.
Was the Fan Protest Against Dermot Desmond a Step Too Far?
Celtic fans protesting against Dermot Desmond ? There are appropriate ways for supporters to express frustration, but throwing objects or disrupting events crosses the line. Open communication is essential here. Both sides need to understand each other's challenges before constructive discussions can happen. Crossing into hostile behaviour accomplishes nothing. That's no way to start any conversation.
Rangers
Are Derek McInnes' Men Starting to Look the Real Deal?
Football opinions change overnight. Just three weeks ago, people were writing Rangers off completely, and after a couple of good results, the narrative shifts dramatically. Pundits and fans can be overly reactionary. I never believed the title race was over, and recent results show that the title race is very much alive for Rangers and Derek McInnes .
But that's the way they were thinking: that Rangers had no chance. Especially after the Rangers' performance in Europe , people said this was one of the worst performances Rangers have ever had. It just shows you that this is the wonder of football. So I've got to say that people did think the league was finished, but it's very much game on for both teams.
Is James Penrice the Natural Successor to Robertson and Tierney?
When I was Scotland manager, we were blessed with left-backs like Andy Robertson , Kieran Tierney , Stephen Kingsley , and Lee Wallace . James Penrice has been very impressive for Rangers , showing great versatility and crossing quality. He's been an impressive kid. He was at Livingston and started off with Partick Thistle . We've all had a look at him, and Hearts were the brave ones that took him. I think we did inquire at Dundee , but we weren't right for the young lad at the time.
He did well at Partick Thistle , Livingston , and Hearts before moving to Rangers . Having said that, replacing Robertson and Tierney long-term is a massive ask, but Penrice has proven himself to be a quality, adaptable player so far.
Hibs and Stenhousemuir
Were There Positive Signs From Marink Reedijk's First Game at Hibs?
Managing in the Scottish Premiership is a stern test for any foreign manager; it's the same for Marink Reedijk . You have to adapt quickly to a league that is relentless physically and mentally. In England 's Under-21 league, players have time on the ball, but in Scotland , opponents press immediately and test your resolve. We've seen managers succeed by adapting to the physical demands, while others struggle if they expect pure passing football without battle.
Scottish football is fast-paced, high-energy, and full of action. While it may not always be pristine, it is always compelling to watch. The wingers kind of look at people and go, there's too many people; they'll go back away. But in Scotland it's all action. And I'm not saying the action's great, but it's interesting. So it's hard when a manager comes in here. As an ex- Hibs fan who went to the game recently with a couple of friends of mine, I loved the Hibs game. I do wish him all the best.
Can Stenhousemuir Be the Next Falkirk?
What Stenhousemuir is achieving is remarkable. Gary Naysmith started the momentum by getting them promoted, and Marvin Bartley has continued that brilliant work. Taking over a successful side at any level is tough, but Marvin has done an outstanding job. Their recent performances on TV have shown real quality. I might be wrong here, but I think this is the best Stenhousemuir team they've ever had.
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