IN THE MIDST of threats of a fans’ boycott at tonight’s Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Dundee at Parkhead, Martin O’Neill lives in hope of peace breaking out at Celtic.
The 73-year-old interim manager can reminisce of times when there was harmony between the board and the supporters, an era when there was a united front in the east end of Glasgow.
O’Neill took time off preparing his squad for the 5.30pm kick-off against Tayside opponents, O’Neill said: “When I left this club in 2005, I thought there was a real strong togetherness.
“There have always been a few things aimed against the board. Celtic were accused of having the biscuit-tin mentality years ago, were told they didn’t do this and didn’t do that.
“But it all seemed so almost innocent by comparison or contrast to what’s happening now. While I accept that life changes, it is a bit sad to see it at the moment.
“I’d like it to, if it can, be resolved. If some sort of conversations take place, that’s the only way it can be resolved. Not stand-offs.”
Reflecting on the recent 4-2 victory over FC Utrecht in the Europa League encounter that sealed a knock-out place and two legs against VfB Stuttgart later this month, the charismatic Irishman, speaking to the media, continued: “We were 3-0 up after 20 minutes.
“It was quiet, but I didn’t feel it was anti. But maybe there’s an expectation because we’ve got ourselves into this position with a couple of really good results away from home that we should automatically win the game. But that’s never been the case.
“I remember us playing Liverpool in 2003 and John Robertson was standing beside me. I honestly couldn’t hear what he was saying. It was that loud. It was breathtaking.
“And people whose experience of those days would be maybe even shocked to find that it is not as strong as it was then. But that can come back again, there’s no question about.”
Admitting the stadium is missing the vibrancy that is generated by a group of supporters at the corner flag, O’Neill observed: “Yeah, of course, absolutely.
“I think the vociferous part of the ground is still really important, of course. I’d like to see them all back.”
The veteran gaffer, who initially spent five years at the Hoops after arriving in the summer of 2000, has worked with chief executive Michael Nicholson on the winter transfer dealings.
O’Neill stated: “I’ve been absolutely fine with him. Michael has taken on this role and I don’t know how long he’s been in situ with that. I had this month working closely with him and anything we’ve tried to do, he’s tried to push forward.
“That’s been really encouraging. But it’s like anything else, we, as a football club, whatever we say about it – we’ve got to learn. Seriously, we’ve got to learn.
“If you’re talking about in normal dealings with people, we’ve things to do ourselves, look at ourselves. But the great thing about it from Brian Wilson’s point of view, he’s pretty keen for that to happen, which I think is overdue.”
O’Neill’s priority is to ensure Celtic are successful on the pitch and so far he has seen no reason to discuss the subject with the players.
He admitted: “I haven’t done it. If it doesn’t get some sort of resolution, then it’s maybe something I can ask them, if it affects them. Perhaps maybe in one aspect, if you start to make mistakes, maybe the quieter the better.
“You don’t want 60,000 going ‘woah, what are you doing?’ So maybe it works in reverse for them.
If you can keep winning football matches it should have some sort of effect. After all the conversation we are having, that has to be my particular focus, to try and win the games and if it’s at all possible, cut out the noise.
“But it’s encouraging to find out that the interim chairman, Brian Wilson, wants to have this dialogue. I think that’s the first step.”
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