FORMER Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believes the current Rangers team could be the worst he has ever known.

Mark Warburton departed as Gers manager two weeks ago with the club in third place in the Ladbrokes Premiership and a defeat to Dundee on Sunday saw them fall 30 points behind the Hoops and six adrift of second-placed Aberdeen.

O’Neill, who led the Parkhead side to three league titles, three Scottish Cups, one League Cup and the UEFA Cup final between 2000 and 2005, went as far as to say that the current Light Blues squad could be the poorest he has seen.

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But the current Republic of Ireland manager believes that Celtic will need their rivals to improve and provide more serious competition in order to benefit the Hoops' future European exploits.

“It’s a great run and at this minute they are just wiping the floor with the opposition,” O’Neill told Talksport.

“Rangers are not strong at all. In fact, honestly, it’s possibly the poorest side I’ve ever known at Ibrox.

“For Celtic to stay strong, and be strong in Europe, then they need opposition there and they need it to come from Rangers in the next couple of seasons if that’s at all possible.

“But at the minute they’re doing brilliantly and well done them.”

Celtic face Hamilton Academical on Saturday hoping to extend their 20-match winning run in the league, while Rangers travel to rock-bottom Inverness on Friday.