‘VERY DIFFICULT,’ O’NEILL LAYS IT ON THE LINE

MARTIN O’NEILL has laid it on the line for his players as Celtic prepare for the visit of Motherwell to Parkhead tomorrow afternoon.

With nine Premiership games to go and the clock ticking down, the interim manager has emphasised the champions cannot afford to drop too many points and “still think that you could possibly win the league.”

This is the Hoops’ first home encounter following four consecutive matches on their travels in Stuttgart, Pittodrie and Ibrox (twice).

They were undefeated in that punishing away-day sequence with wins in Germany and against the Dons in the north-east while there was a comeback 2-2 draw in Govan and 4-2 penalty-kick shoot-out success in the Scottish Cup quarter-final at the same venue last weekend.

Perversely, the Hoops lost their last outing in the east end of Glasgow on February 22, going down 2-1 to Hibs after Auston Trusty’s controversial red card in the 74th minute when the score was 1-1 and the hosts were applying the pressure.

Three points were carelessly blown that afternoon and O’Neill has hammered home the fact there can be no repeat.

The champions, searching for their fifth successive title, can go two points behind leaders Hearts with a win over the Fir Park outfit.

Derek McInnes’ men will have to wait until 8pm later in the day before they go into action against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Emphasising the urgency of a victory, O’Neill said: “It’s crucial in every aspect because you’re running out of games.

“If I looked at it really properly, I don’t think we can drop too many points and still think that you could possibly win the league.

“It would be very difficult to do that with the games running down.”

Praising tomorrow’s opponents, the stand-in gaffer, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “A really tough game, absolutely.

IMAGES COURTESY CELTIC TV

“They’ve had a fantastic time, a bit of a setback last week at Dundee, but they really have been the proverbial breath of fresh air for the SPFL.

“They’ve played really well and they play matches without any real fear. It’s great and it’s been terrific for them.”

Asked about the situation regarding crocked double-act Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney who both missed the Cup-tie at Ibrox, O’Neill answered: “Callum? He will miss the game, but Kieran’s in better shape and he’ll be there.

“It’s a calf strain for Callum. He’s done very well in recovery and we’d be hopeful for him for next week.”

Reflecting on the mood of the Celtic camp, the Irishman added: “I think that the players are pretty buoyant and have been now for some time.

“Obviously, during the course of weeks, if you didn’t get a result – as we didn’t against Hibs – there’s a natural deflation.

“But you have to try and overcome that as soon as possible and I think we’ve done that.”