MARTIN O’NEILL will be hoping it’s Paradise when Celtic return to Parkhead on Saturday afternoon to face Motherwell in another Premiership must-win encounter.
The champions make an appearance in the east end of Glasgow after the gruelling slog of four consecutive away games in 10 days that took the players to Stuttgart, Pittodrie and two trips to Ibrox.
Displaying praiseworthy fortitude, the Hoops came through the testing quartet of challenges undefeated and with a place in next month’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren to look forward to at Hampden.
GREEN FOR GO…Martin O’Neill looks ahead to Well test. Image courtesy Celtic TV.
There were wins over the Bundesliga outfit and Aberdeen, a comeback 2-2 draw in the league in Govan and a penalty-kick shoot-out triumph over Danny Rohl’s side at the same venue.
Reflecting on his squad’s true grit and spirit, boss O’Neill said: “I couldn’t be more proud of the team.
“They’ve shown great resilience, great character, all the words that you normally associate with sides who come through a period like this.
“It was really tough, I must admit. I had a look at it particularly when the rearranged game against Aberdeen fell in there.
“You’re travelling away to Stuttgart, Ibrox and then Aberdeen on the Wednesday, that was three games in six days.
“And then the fourth game we had in a 10 day period was Ibrox again in the Cup.
“But to come through in the manner that the team did, it was a nice sign that they are prepared to battle and compete.”
IBROX REVISTED…Martin O’Neill acknowledges the travelling support.
Celtic go into the match against Jens Berthel Askou’s revitalised Well with the opportunity of closing the gap at the top on Hearts to two points.
The Edinburgh side face a delay before they take on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park at 8pm and this is an opportunity for the Hoops to pile extra pressure on Derek McInnes’ men with only eight games to play.
Analysing the challenge of the Fir Park side, O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “It will be a major test for us.
“We can go in to the game with some confidence because of the recent results.
“Myself, Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham went to Dens Park last weekend to see them against Dundee and that result [a 1-0 loss]was a setback for them, but they’ll come here with loads of confidence.
“They could easily be the best footballing side at this minute, so they’ll come and play without fear, so it’s up to us be up to the test.”
Bring it on! Welcome home, Celtic!
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