Martin O'Neill Calls for Celtic to Embrace European Challenge
Martin O'Neill has passionately urged his Celtic players to 'give it a go' in Europe, emphasising the importance of maintaining ambition on the continental stage. The 73-year-old manager, in his second interim spell, made these remarks ahead of Celtic's Europa League clash with Utrecht on Thursday, highlighting the potential for an uplifting period for the Scottish champions.
European Ambitions Amid Domestic Turmoil
In a season marked by a tumultuous campaign and a fierce three-way title fight with Hearts and Rangers, O'Neill remains steadfast in his European aspirations. He pointed to recent performances, such as the result in Feyenoord and the hard-fought effort in Bologna, as reasons not to abandon their continental pursuits. 'We don't now want to just throw it away,' O'Neill stated. 'We want to try and go for it if we can. We could still lose the game, but we want to give it a go.'
He acknowledged that success in Europe could provide renewed enthusiasm for the squad, especially if they secure qualification and manage to win their upcoming domestic match against Falkirk. However, O'Neill stressed that progress in the Europa League is crucial, as failure to advance would be a significant blow to Celtic's credibility, given Utrecht's poor form in the Eredivisie.
Transfer Window Tensions and Managerial Perspective
The messy campaign has been compounded by frustrations in the January transfer window, with Celtic spending more on a failed appeal for Auston Trusty's red card than on permanent signings. Loan arrivals Julián Araujo and Tomas Cvancara have done little to quell anxiety among supporters, who fear another window of inactivity as Hearts and Rangers mount credible title challenges.
O'Neill, however, adopts a rational approach, noting his interim status and the need to avoid imposing players on a future manager. 'I came in on 5 January and you try to get to work immediately on players,' he explained. 'There's a fairly decent chance I won't be here next year, so I don't want to thrust somebody on the club that a new manager might not like.' He emphasised his focus on acquiring players who can make an immediate impact while aligning with potential future managerial ideas.
Board Support and Long-Term Vision
Despite calls for root-and-branch reform at Celtic, O'Neill refuses to criticise the under-siege board of directors, asserting that there is willingness to back his transfer wishes. 'Who is to say we might not spend money? There is a willingness. There is not a division between manager and board,' he said, describing the challenges of navigating transfer lists and fluctuating prices.
As Celtic prepare for their first European tie at Celtic Park under O'Neill since 2004, the manager's aspirations remain undimmed. Reflecting on past Champions League nights, he remarked, 'Those Champions League nights were really special, they were fantastic. It does help when you have some half decent players helping you.' He believes that aiming for European success is fundamental to the club's identity, regardless of current competitive gaps.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Ambition
O'Neill's unwavering ambition, honed over decades in football, continues to drive Celtic forward. While acknowledging the distance from past glories, he insists that the club must always strive for European prominence. 'That's what the club is there for,' he concluded, setting a bold tone as Celtic navigate a critical phase in their season.
