A MERE three and a half hours into his extraordinary Celtic comeback, Martin O’Neill has led the holders into the Premier Sports League Cup Final showpiece against St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday December 14.
A week ago today, the 73-year-old Irishman received the call from principal shareholder Dermot Desmond to offer him the job in an interim capacity following the shock resignation of Brendan Rodgers.
O’Neill made a quickfire return to the Parkhead dug-out two evenings later as the champions overcame Falkirk 4-0 in the Premiership to stop the rot after two consecutive defeats at Dundee and Hearts.
IT TAKES TWO…Martin O’Neill discusses tactics with his assistant Shaun Maloney during Celtic’s 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final win at Hampden.
The feelgood factor continued at the national stadium yesterday when goals from Johnny Kenny, Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand saw off Ibrox opposition in a dramatic semi-final extra-time encounter.
O’Neill watched as the Hoops had what looked like a perfectly good goal ruled out by VAR, the opposition were reduced to 10 men before the interval after a wild challenge from Thelo Aasgaard on Anthony Ralston and a controversial penalty-kick was converted by James Tavernier to drag the contest into an extra half-hour.
It was all breathtaking stuff and, moments after the final whistle, O’Neill reflected: “I’m delighted, relieved and extremely happy to win the game.
“To win against Rangers, as well, I genuinely couldn’t be more pleased with the team.
“I could sense the players’ intensity before the game and true to their word they really went at it.
“I thought we were really splendid for long periods, dominating proceedings.
“We have some fine players in the football club, Callum McGregor being one of them, and in extra-time it was a glorious strike – brilliant from a really great player.
HAIL, HAIL…Martin O’Neill acknowledges the Celtic fans at full-time.
“Callum Osmand is coming up through the ranks and he certainly doesn’t lack confidence. He wants to get at people and all of us will be encouraging that.”
Looking at the big picture, O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I’m really grateful. I’ve always said that it’s a privilege to manage Celtic.
“If you had asked me last Sunday, I’d have told you I’d be watching this game on television, so from that viewpoint it’s enormous.
“To be back down in amongst it again, it definitely did bring me back.”
The charismatic gaffer, who won seven trophies in his original five years at the club after arriving in the summer of 2000, added: “For us to win against Rangers was terrific and now we’re in a Final.
“I genuinely didn’t know the Final was in December time!
“It was great, the crowd were fantastic and I appreciate it and have genuine warmth for it all.”
EXTRA-SPECIAL: THE CALLUM DOUBLE-ACT
