Martin O'Neill already risks Celtic fans' wrath with Hearts and Rangers comments

Martin O'Neill has made a temporary return to Celtic following Brendan Rodgers' shock resignation. Rodgers sensationally quit the Parkhead club on Monday after a turbulent start to the season, resulting in a calamitous Champions League exit and a shambolic transfer window.

The former Liverpool manager had consistently insisted he would only leave before his three-year contract expired if he was 'emptied', but his departure has opened the lid on the extent of internal strife. O'Neill, who managed the Hoops between 2000 and 2005, has taken charge on an interim basis alongside former player Shaun Maloney.

But in the hours before Rodgers' departure was confirmed, he admitted that it would be good for the game if Heart of Midlothian were to win the Scottish Premiership this season - a comment which might not be well received by Hoops fans.

Hearts are in pole position, having opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the table following a 3-1 win over Celtic on Sunday. And speaking on talkSPORT on Monday, O'Neill admitted: "It was always going to be a difficult game for Celtic.

"Hearts are on the rise at the moment. I know last year Aberdeen had won a host of games early on and you knew that wasn't sustainable, but Hearts are different.

"They are strong, they've got a bit of backing, they are physically strong. That's been a concern of mine for some time about Celtic.

"Brendan is right in the sense that there are 29 games to go and Celtic have been there before. They need to settle down and they have lost their way a little bit, Hearts are riding high. There's a long way to go."

When asked if now was the season for a shock in Scottish football, O'Neill replied: "Without a doubt, this is it. Celtic can actually lose games, whereas before they looked invincible in matches.

"Rangers are no threat whatsoever, although the new manager coming in, I think he could do something in time. But they are so far adrift it's untrue.

"But this is the moment, this is the time for Hearts. They have gone eight points clear. That is a decent enough lead, really. Their confidence has grown, and it will grow from that victory as well.

"Those things are happening now for Hearts and it's great, whereas Celtic are in a wee bit of trouble. But I agree this is the best time for any side outside the Old Firm to go and win."

Before the former Ireland boss concluded: "Hearts are, historically, a very, very fine football club. In fact, outside of Ibrox, I felt that they were the most intimidating crowd to go to, because the crowd are right on top of you.

"They have got a bit of money behind them. [Shareholder] Tony Bloom was up there watching it. They have momentum going, which is a big thing, at this minute.

"With Celtic struggling a little bit, and Rangers nowhere to be seen, this is an opportunity. But it is, as we talked about with Arsenal [in the Premier League], a long, long way to go, and there is a long way to go, but momentum is gathering at Tynecastle.

"The excitement at Tynecastle, going into the unknown, there was a feeling among the Hearts fans that they could get something against Celtic, which wasn't the case for a long, long time. To sustain that is going to be difficult but you might as well dream.

"I think Ally [McCoist] summed it up well. For Scottish football, on one level, for Hearts to win it would be amazing. Paradoxically, for Celtic and Rangers to not win it, you're thinking where is Scottish football going. It's interesting. For the game itself, it would reinvigorate the Premiership."