Derek McInnes has admitted Rangers must try to turn their lack of European football into a domestic strength, just days after Martin O’Neill pointed out the advantage it gives them.

Celtic are dealing with league games, European travel, quick turnarounds and the physical demands that comes with it. Rangers, by contrast, have a clearer week-to-week schedule after failing to qualify for European competition.

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O’Neill said last week: “I think that’s a big advantage for them in many aspects.

“I wanted Rangers to qualify for their competition just to play the games. It wasn’t altruistic on my part. I just wanted them to play the matches.

“We’ll try and deal with it as best we can. Obviously, the most important thing for us is to stay up there in the league.”

Now McInnes has more or less accepted the same point, even if he would rather Rangers were still involved in Europe.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Rangers boss said: “You would much rather be in Europe. There is a wee bit of envy, watching some of the games last night.

“But, we have got to deal with that situation and the best way we can deal with that situation, and go out and feel good about ourselves, is by making sure we are strong domestically.

“Obviously we have a semi-final to look forward to, and if we can go into that game in good form by winning some of these upcoming games – or all of them if we can – then, only then, will we see the benefit of it.

“I do think as you go into the winter months, only focussing on week to week can only be a good thing from our point of view – but it doesn’t guarantee you anything.”

McInnes knows Rangers must turn the lack of European football into a domestic advantage. O’Neill knew it too.

Celtic have had Benfica away in the Europa League, Hearts at Celtic Park this Sunday, and then Celta Vigo coming to Glasgow next week. That is the rhythm of a club still trying to fight on more than one front.

There is no need for Celtic to dress that up as anything other than what it is.

Europe is where Celtic want to be. O’Neill made that clear. But he also understands the cost of it.

The games come quickly, training time is reduced, injuries become harder to manage, and recovery becomes part of the job almost every week.

McInnes can talk about envy, but his side now have a chance to use the fixture list in their favour.

O’Neill’s task is to make sure Celtic handle their own schedule well enough that Rangers do not get the benefit they are looking for.