3 days ago
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Martin O'Neill rolled back the years with a stunning victory over Feyenoord before challenging Celtic to go on and qualify for the Europa League knockout stages.
Leading the team in Europe for the last time, the 73-year-old watched his players roar back from a goal down to secure a 3-1 win in Rotterdam — the club’s first away victory on the continent in four years.
It was an emotional night for O’Neill, who was serenaded by Celtic fans inside De Kuip at full-time as he prepares to hand over the reins to Wilfried Nancy next week.
Asked if it was the perfect way to bow out after helping breathe life into the club’s Euro campaign, he said: ‘Absolutely. I’m thrilled for the team.
‘There’s a bit of selfishness to it, of course, but it was lovely to win, not just away from home but at Feyenoord. It was terrific.
‘Judging on last season’s format, you probably need 10, maybe even 11 points, to qualify for the knockout stages.
Interim Celtic boss Martin O'Neill believes his side were well worth their win in Rotterdam
Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda were amongst the standout performers in green and white
Benjamin Nygren's powerful drive late on secured a famous win for the Scottish champions
‘It won’t be easy. Celtic have two home games with Roma and Utrecht, with Bologna in between. But the confidence is in the side now. It’s up to them to drive it on.
‘Winning away from home is terrific. That’s not easy in Europe, it’s certainly not easy here.
‘The very obvious thing is that it gives them confidence and a bit of belief they can actually come and compete.
‘Even if the result had gone against us, I thought we were competing. I am so pleased for the players. The restoration of confidence is big and it’s about keeping it going.’
After falling behind to Ayase Ueda’s 11th minute goal, Celtic showed a level of composure sorely lacking in previous European outings this season.
They turned the match on its head before half-time with goals from Yang Hyun-jun and Reo Hatate, and substitute Benjamin Nygren sealed victory eight minutes from time.
Robin van Persie’s Feyenoord were jeered off by furious home fans as they crashed to an insipid defeat.
‘We played really, really well,’ said O’Neill. ‘There was a fairly lengthy period where we were totally dominant, controlling the ball and exuding a lot of confidence.
Celtic players lapped up the celebrations with the travelling fans at the full-time whistle
‘It was nice to see. Going a goal behind, we could have crumbled but we showed the usual words — character and resilience.
‘When we got the equaliser, the confidence just flooded into the side and they played wonderfully well. I said to them before the game: “You will get a chance to play tonight”.
‘Feyenoord are a fine side, they are going through a dip at the moment, but they have good players. But they’ll also give you a chance to play and we took that chance.’
O’Neill has won five of his six matches at the helm since stepping in as interim boss following Brendan Rodgers’ departure. The trip to Hibs on Sunday will be his last game before Nancy takes over.
Asked for his reflections on his caretaker role these past few weeks, he added: ‘It’s hard to say really what I thought.
‘My two daughters were all for going for it [taking the job] and my wife said you’ll probably mess it up! I tried to phone her there after the game.
‘I haven’t messed it up — so far. It’s been great. The results are everything. It’s what you live by. The results have been terrific.
‘My two brothers came to the game tonight and I told them to start the chants [singing my name], so they must have done. Honestly, I’m in great fettle now, but I’l wake up tomorrow and get ready for the Hibs game. But you might as well enjoy it. It was great.
‘The dressing room was full of it at the end, too. The Japanese lads learned a few extra words, although they didn’t realise they were swear words.’
