How do you remove the differential circlips on a mk II clio?

I am working on a 1998 mk II renault clio, i found out that the speedo does not work so i removed the speed sensor from the gearbox and turned it by hand and it worked, so i now know its the drivegear in the gearbox/differential. I drained the fluid and removed the left hand driveshaft i found out to get to the gear i have to remove the circlip holding in the tripod joint cup but there are no surfaces for circlip pliers it seems solid and there are two small cuts about half way through the circlip a cm apart in a rectangle cut out, how do i remove it?