O’Neill’s side still best for Mjallby

JOHAN MJALLBY insists the current Celtic squad is not as good as the one which won the Treble under Martin O’Neill in 2001. Mjallby was a key player in the side which swept all before them 16 years ago — and the Swedish centre-half also went on to play in the UEFA Cup Final in Seville in 2003. But, despite Brendan Rodgers’ side being only two games away from sealing the fourth Treble in the club’s history, the Parkhead legend believes they still have a long way to go before they can be viewed in a similar light. ‘Yes, I would say Martin’s team would beat this one,’ he said. ‘I say that because of the experience. We were a team of grown-up boys. In fact, we were men. ‘This team now is fantastic, but I still think you need to give it another year before you can compare it with Martin’s team. ‘But, if they keep doing what they’re doing now, they’re going to be No 2 after the Lisbon Lions. ‘We have to give them another season before you can say that they are a better group of players than we were. That is no

disrespect to today’s team. I would say that the opposition was harder for us. You had a very strong Rangers at the time. You had Hearts, Dundee and Dundee United, who were probably stronger than the rest of the teams are right now. ‘But it would still be an amazing feat if they won the Treble. ‘What a turnaround it has been. A few months ago, we were moaning like hell when Celtic played in Gibraltar and had a tough evening in a Champions League qualifier. ‘Now, we are speaking about them being invincible, going through the season without losing a domestic game. ‘What a fantastic achievement that would be. It just shows how well Brendan has done. What a great appointment it has been, signing good players and playing the Celtic way. ‘They have been a great, great force going forward. I know they haven’t conceded many either, but this team plays the game the Celtic way.’ Mjallby has warned Celtic of the motivation which will fuel Rangers this Sunday at Hampden as Pedro Caixinha’s side bid to shatter not only their rivals’ hopes of a Treble, but also the Invincibles tag. ‘Looking at the season, you have to say Celtic are favourites — not only for Sunday’s game, but to win the trophy, which will mean they win the Treble,’ said the 46-year-old, who also spent four years as Neil Lennon’s assistant manager at Parkhead. ‘But the last Old Firm game was a draw and we all know what can happen in these fixtures. ‘Rangers will be confident they can raise their game and give Celtic a very hard afternoon.’