MARTIN O’NEILL is just four days into his interim post as Celtic manager – and a mere 90 minutes away from a Cup Final.
The 73-year-old Irishman answered the call to return to the club after Brendan Rodgers’ dramatic resignation on Monday.
Now O’Neill is preparing his players for the intriguing Premier Sport League Cup semi-final against Danny Rohl’s Ibrox side at Hampden on Sunday after getting his comeback off to a winning start with a 4-0 success over Falkirk in midweek.
PENSIVE…Martin O’Neill looks back – and forward – to derby encounters.
It has been just over 25 years since the charismatic boss faced the same foes in his memorable derby debut against Dick Adovocaat’s men and thrashed them 6-2 with doubles from Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson while Paul Lambert and Stiliyan Petrov contributing the other strikes.
It was the launch pad to a stunning domestic clean sweep and the stand-on gaffer recalled the encounter as being “pivotal” to the club during that campaign.
Reflecting on the game dubbed ‘The Demolition Derby’, O’Neill said: “Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals against that side.
“I’d settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it.
“Obviously fond memories; it was great. And it did give us a real springboard for that season.
“Some lads come up and say to me: ‘That was a great game’ – and they weren’t even born. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it.
“It became a really pivotal match for us, not just that season, but probably for continuing on.
“I’m excited by the fixture, it’s always a great one, so I’m looking forward to it.
“There’s a nervousness for about 72 hours before and then, if you did get the result, it was a great relief. I think that’s what the great Walter Smith used to say about it, as well, that it was relief more than anything else.”
BACK IN THE OLD ROUTINE…Martin O’Neill watches on as Celtic get ready for Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup semi-final derby encounter at Hampden. Images courtesy Celtic TV.
O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I learned a great deal from the Falkirk game, which was great for us, so we’ll go into this game with that confidence and that’s the most important thing.
“Any Celtic-Rangers game is a big game, but particularly given the circumstances of recent days, if not weeks, it really is.”
Asked about the current injury situation, the caretaker team chief added: “Kelechi’s Iheanacho is doing fine at this minute. We’ll have a little look tomorrow and see how things are.
“The same with Kieran Tierney. He finished the game against Hearts, but then felt it in training. A bit of a groin strain.
“He’ll be training tomorrow and, hopefully, will be fit for selection on Sunday.”
Alistair Johnston, who limped off in the 2-1 Europa League win over Sturm Graz eight days ago after missing 10 matches with a hamstring injury, is still a major doubt.
