MARTIN O’NEILL forced himself to watch an x-certificate Celtic performance as he prepared for tomorrow night’s Europa League second leg play-off against VfB Stuttgart in Germany.
The interim manager saw his Hoops side thumped 4-1 at Parkhead in the first game last week – and then put himself through the experience TWICE as he analysed a dismal night under the lights in the east end of Glasgow.
Benjamin Nyngren’s goal to make it 1-1 was the Hoops’ only moment to celebrate in a fairly one-sided show that has rendered the upcoming match virtually meaningless.
O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, admitted: “I’ve seen the game back twice now, once very quickly after the match was over and sometimes you think your eyes deceive you.
GERMANY CALLING…Martin O’Neill is planning to make it interesting for Stuttgart.
“They are a very, very fine side, but, to me, it was never 4-1, the stats tell you that the game was much closer.
“We gave away some very poor goals from our viewpoint and were still well in the game at half-time.
“The last goal was poor, you were there at 3-1 and we missed a couple of decent chances ourselves
“So, if we could rectify that, and that’s easier said than done, but if we can take our chances, and we will get some chances and try to defy them, then we will try to make it interesting.”
Celtic will have to attempt Mission Improbable without any input from Julian Araujo who did not fly out with the squad.
The Mexico international right-back, on loan from Bournemouth until the end of the season, sustained an injury during the 2-1 loss to Hibs on Sunday.
O’Neill is taking no risks with the attack-minded defender who has been fairly impressive since his January arrival.
Looking ahead to the crucial Premiership encounter at Ibrox on Sunday, the Irishman has decided to allow Araujo to recuperate at home.
Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston are standing by to get the nod to fill in at No.2 against Stuttgart.
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