MARTIN O’NEILL admitted he was “relieved” and “pleased” as his start as Celtic’s interim manager got off to a winning start with a 4-0 triumph over Falkirk at Parkhead.
The champions went into the encounter after a whirlwind 48 hours of trauma and turmoil following the shock resignation of Brendan Rodgers on Monday that led to the return of the popular gaffer who had spent five years in the dug-out after arriving in the summer of 2000.
Two decades after he left the club, the charismatic O’Neill found himself back in the east end of Glasgow for a vitally important Premiership confrontation with John McGlynn’s team who were coming into the game on the back of some solid results.
CONCERNED…Martin O’Neill before the kick-off against Falkirk.
The Hoops, on the other hand, had lost back to back matches against Dundee and Hearts while slipping off the pace at the summit with the Tynecastle side storming into an eight-point lead.
That was cut to six last night with the Edinburgh club drawing 2-2 with St Mirren in Paisley while Celtic went about demolishing Falkirk in a very professional manner with Johnny Kenny (2), Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti sharing the goals.
A beaming O’Neill said: “Naturally I’m delighted – delighted with the team and I thought they played great.
“They showed a great application, they showed what they could do and I’m delighted to have won.
“For me, I’m just very relieved, but also very pleased with the performances.
“There are things we can tighten up, the usual things, but we scored four goals and we played against a really obdurate side, so it was good.
“In terms of confidence, that will give us a boost.”
NUMBER ONE…Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney celebrate the opening goal.
Singling out young Irishman Kenny, who netted his double in the first-half, O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “He did really well in the game.
“He’s just a young lad and he’s learning his trade, but he stuck the goals away like a centre-forward can do and, of course, that’s what wins games.
“We scored at good moments, as well.”
Now all eyes are on Hampden on Sunday for the holders’ Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against an Ibrox club who go into the encounter on the back of a 1-0 win over Hibs at Easter Road in only Danny Rohl’s third game in charge.
KENNY DOUBLE AS O’NEILL CELEBRATES COMEBACK
