MARTIN O’NEILL admitted “all seemed lost” before Celtic prevented unwanted history at Parkhead last night.
The Hoops were teetering on the edge of their first-ever home defeat from Dundee in the Scottish Cup as they trailed to an Ethan Hamilton strike.
Remarkably, with just THREE seconds to play in stoppage-time, Junior Adamu, who had replaced Tomas Cvancara in the 80th minute, struck with a cute backheel equaliser following great service from Sebastian Tounekti on the left.
And, a mere one minute and 12 seconds into extra-time, the twinkle-toed Tunisian winger played a superb one-two with Luke McCowan before drilling what turned out to be the winner between keeper John McCracken and his near post.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Martin O’Neill congratulates Sebastian Tounekti after his extra-time Scottish Cup winner against Dundee.
Following an extraordinary evening under the lights in the east end of Glasgow, a clearly relieved interim boss O’Neill summed up: “I’m naturally delighted that we’re through and that we’re in the hat for the next round.
“I thought the team showed a drive and a determination to eke out an equaliser when all seemed lost and it was great win in the manner in which we did.
“We got that late, late goal and then we scored almost immediately in extra-time. We saw it through in the end and the players deserve enormous credit for digging that out.”
O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “It is easy for managers to say ‘I always felt a chance was coming.
“When the ball is in the penalty area, you might think something is going to materialise. I thought Junior Adamu’s introduction was probably key, as much as anything else.
“If Dundee had managed to kick the ball clear, then that’s probably the game over. But we found a way to save the game and we found a way to win it.”
The tie, of course, was played out to the backdrop of a boycott from sections of Hoops supporters in their ongoing protests against the board.
I’LL DRINK TO THAT…a relieved Martin O’Neill.
There were empty seats throughout the stadium, partly because of the game having an evening start while it was live on satellite television and wasn’t on the season ticket book.
Asked about the flat atmosphere, O’Neill added: “I think it’s the nature of it.
“It’s expensive to travel. You are talking about a 5.30pm kick off on a Saturday evening and if you’re travelling from Ireland, then they would find that difficult.
“I was pleased with the crowd and pleased with the number who turned up and naturally I am delighted be in the hat.”
The quarter-final draw will be made around 9.30pm tonight following the Stenhousemuir v Falkirk tie at Larbert. The ballot will be pushed back if the tie goes to extra-time or penalties.
Already through along with Celtic are Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline, 2-0 winners over Kelty Hearts, Mark Wilson’s Partick Thistle, who overcame Elgin City 3-2, and St Mirren, who beat Airdrie 2-1 in extra-time on Friday night.
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