Proving that without a doubt he simply didn’t get it in the first place, former Rangers defender Phil Bardsley comments have been offering a defence of Celtic. That is to say, Celtic’s manager Martin O’Neill.

For a reasonably intelligent person, as we would assume Bardsley is, this is a pretty tone deaf comment to come out with. He said:

“I just think it’s disrespectful to Martin O’Neill. I’m not quite sure what’s going on. For Celtic to nip it at the end was an incredible job from Martin and his staff. It’s totally disrespectful to the manager, and I wouldn’t be best pleased if I were Martin O’Neill.”

Consequently, we do have to wonder what exactly he’s playing at by offering these comments about O’Neill. We know he played for MON at Sunderland, but these comments seem very pro-MON and anti-Rangers and indeed Hearts.

Phil Bardsley’s Rangers Past

Now, obviously, we don’t call Bardsley a dyed in the wool Rangers man. He only played for us briefly and it was only on loan. Bardsley was a pretty solid right back for Rangers, in all fairness, and operated with utility on the left.

He was okay. But to then offer some massive defence of Martin O’Neill is a bit of an odd step to take.

Martin O’Neill’s Celtic Return

O’Neill is an old man and he’s having a very bizarre time as a returning Celtic manager. He got very lucky winning the title last season, yet Bardsley calls it a borderline miracle, describes him as a great manager and compliments him.

Is this professional respect for his own ex-boss or tone deaf comments from an ex Rangers player? We’d have to say it’s probably a bit of both.

But we don’t like seeing any Rangers ex-players making positive comments about Celtic stuff. It just doesn’t sit well with us.

Rangers and Celtic Rivalry

Put simply, Celtic deserve all the criticism they are getting at the moment and the same applies to their manager.

For Bardsley to come out and defend him and criticise his critics, which means criticising those among the Rangers fraternity as well, does suggest a little bit of a lack of awareness and being out of touch.

But that’s his choice, we suppose. He clearly suffers the bias of having played under him in England.

The Phil Bardsley comments certainly raise eyebrows from a Rangers perspective, particularly given his own history at Ibrox.

Phil Bardsley’s Strange Defence

Ultimately, the Phil Bardsley comments leave us wondering why a former Rangers defender feels the need to offer such a strong defence of a Celtic manager. Despite their past relationship.

Professional respect is one thing, but openly defending Martin O’Neill while criticising those who question him is quite another.

And for Ibrox Noise, it simply doesn’t sit right.