O'Neill Demands Celtic Players Prove Worth After Cup Exit
Manager Martin O'Neill urges his squad to demonstrate character and ability in upcoming fixtures following recent defeats.
Following a dismal performance that led to their Premier Sports Cup quarter-final elimination, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has challenged his players to prove their mettle at Celtic Park.
The team's 3-0 defeat in the Old Firm derby came shortly after their Champions League playoff exit against LASK, raising questions about the squad's resilience.
O'Neill emphasized the importance of character, noting that the pressure at a club like Celtic can be intense, with misplaced passes sometimes amplified by the crowd. He recalled a sentiment from Tommy Burns that it's easier to play against Celtic than for them, a challenge he feels his current players must overcome.
"It's about wanting to have what it takes to be a Celtic player," O'Neill stated. "What does it take? It takes big character. You have to accept the fact that even at home, you misplace the ball two or three times, the crowd can get on you."
O'Neill acknowledged that the nature of the derby defeat has been difficult to process, and he stressed that defeat should be a significant motivator for his players. "If you're smiling or laughing or joking about an hour after the match is over, then I don't think it's the best sight in the world and I don't think you've treated the game with the seriousness that it deserves," he commented.
He suggested that the intensity of the Old Firm game may have been an eye-opener for some of the newer players signed this summer. "So, you've got to find out about players, about whether they're capable of dealing with these games," O'Neill added. "Hopefully, over the course of time, they will be, but yeah, it was a surprise."
The squad now faces a crucial period with an Europa League opener against Ferencvaros on Thursday evening, followed by a home Premiership match against Rangers on Sunday, before the international break.
In team news, O'Neill confirmed that forward Camilo Duran is available to face the Hungarian side, despite missing training due to travel arrangements for a visa. Duran had to travel to London for an appointment, which the manager noted, while not ideal, did not prevent his availability. He also mentioned that player Haissem Hassan was not started in the recent match due to disrupted sleep patterns from personal matters.
