MARTIN O’NEILL insists Celtic will have to rise to the occasion when they face FC Utrecht in the Europa League clash at Parkhead tomorrow night.
The Dutch go into the encounter as no-hopers after just one draw in their previous seven games in the competition.
On top of that, they are also struggling on the domestic front, but O’Neill is adamant this match is NOT a foregone conclusion.
If the Hoops are to progress, it’s a win-or-bust situation where three points will ensure going into the draw for the knock-out stages of the tournament.
THE THINKER…Martin O’Neill offers advice to his Celtic players in Bologna.
O’Neill said: “Utrecht will be a difficult game, despite the fact that they’ve only got one point. They’ll come with nothing to play for, but that’s very dangerous in itself.
“I’ve watched some videos of them and they’re very talented footballers.
“In many aspects it reminds me of a couple of games – the Feyenoord match and the Bologna game – fine, talented players who might have lost their way domestically and obviously not getting too many points in this competition, but they can definitely play.
“So, this will be difficult. We have to try and win because our only guarantee of getting through is to win and that, of course, means more games for us.
“At this stage, I’m not really wanting to prioritise anything.
“Let us go as strongly as we possibly can, let’s see if we can get a little bit of help in between now and transfer deadline day – and then take it on from there.”
SPANISH SIGHS…Martin O’Neill, with coach Steve Walford for company, makes a point during the UEFA Final in Seville in 2003.
This will be O’Neill’s fourth game in European competition spread over his two interim periods this season – and his first under the lights in the east end of Glasgow.
It will also be a comeback evening for the 73-year-old Irishman who has not enjoyed the Parkhead experience since a goalless draw with AC Milan on December 7 2004.
The stand-in gaffer, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “They really are special nights and have been for a long time. Every manager who has managed this football club would feel exactly the same.
“I’m looking forward to it, obviously, but in terms of drawing the short straw, my time here in charge just recently has been the three away games – Midtjylland, Feyenoord and Bologna – so it will be nice to get home.
“Of course, that guarantees absolutely nothing. The crowd will be great for us.
“I know every manager says the same thing, but we definitely need it and it will be a special evening if we get through.”
WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? Celtic Confidential is the stunning new book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. All is revealed in a sensational new publication. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Happy reading!
