Martin O'Neill says Celtic must show response after Champions League exit
Martin O’Neill believes Celtic will have to show traditional Hoops “character” against Falkirk following their calamitous Champions League play-off defeat to LASK on Tuesday night.
The Scottish champions were leading 3-0 from the first leg in Glasgow and skipper Callum McGregor’s deflected shot after 21 minutes added to that advantage in Austria.
However, a remarkable collapse saw the home side fight back to win 5-4 on aggregate after extra-time to drop Celtic into the less lucrative and less prestigious league phase of the Europa League.
O’Neill, whose first spell as permanent Celtic manager was between 2000-2005, won the William Hill Premiership title and Scottish Gas Scottish Cup last season but he knows Hoops fans, still reeling after losing out on Champions League football, will be looking for a response against the Bairns on Saturday.
“I’ve known this from my time at this football club, you’re always one game away from a crisis, and that’s the case,” said the 74-year-old Celtic boss, who revealed McGregor missed training through a stomach bug although it is hoped he will be fit.
“It’s a major disappointment to get knocked out of the competition, particularly carrying a lead and certainly with 60 minutes to go and we are looking in real control of the game.
“They’ve had a couple of skirmishes but we have had the better chances in the game. And to let it slip in the manner in which we did is, that is my responsibility.
“And so we have to go and and really show, I know it’s an overused word, the character. We have to show a lot of character.
“And there’ll be moments in the game tomorrow, misplaced passes, allowing Falkirk in, shots at goal and maybe even going a goal behind in the game, where the crowd are going to get really restless. Absolutely, so we have to fight that.
“But that’s been the case even in my days with (Henrik) Larsson and (Neil) Lennon, (Paul) Lambert, it was the case then, so that doesn’t change. And you know what? I wouldn’t expect it to. We can’t live in laurels for the rest of our time.
“Last season was just fantastic one of the great moments but it’s gone, and I’ve had some really great moments in my time, and I’ve had some real lows, like everything else.
“One of the great highs was us winning the league (last season) and one of the major lows was losing this game the other night. It doesn’t get any easier at 74 years of age. In fact, it gets worse.”
In the Europa League, Celtic were drawn away to Benfica, Union SG, Omonia and Torreense and at home to Marseille, Ferencvaros, Celta Vigo and Besiktas.
O’Neill said: “Yes, gosh, it is really tough. I probably still haven’t got over the game on Tuesday night, but it’s something to look forward to. Some really big games there.
“I’ve got the list here in my pocket and Marseille and Benfica, I never read any further after that.
“But, listen, it’s not the day for fun and games, Tuesday was really disappointing, we just have to try and get over it if we can.”
--
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.