Even in victory Martin O’Neill showcases the ability to wind up Celtic supporters.
In what way is a 2-0 victory at Motherwell the setting to share your disappointment that Derek McInnes lost two European qualifiers in August?
Those defeats are a source of joy for most Celtic supporters. Only weirdos hung up over the UEFA co-efficient would be upset or bothered.
Unfortunately, in the media room at Fir Park O’Neill conjured up the comment:
I wanted Rangers to qualify for their competition just to play the games. It wasn’t altruistic on my part. I just wanted them to play the matches.
We’ll try and deal with it as best we can. Obviously, the most important thing for us is to stay up there in the league. But the European games, and I’ve said this before to you this time last year, it’s what the club are aspiring to.
Discussing European aspirations, O’Neill added:
Whether we’re good enough to compete here or not, I couldn’t really tell you.
So as well as envying the free midweeks that McInnes has O’Neill is unsure of whether his Celtic side can compete in the Europa League.
O’Neill has had two transfer windows to shape the Celtic squad.
Two seasons ago Celtic picked up 12 points in the Champions League. Finishing in 21st place, between Juventus and Manchester City.
If anyone ever wanted a definition of managed decline O’Neill provides it.
IS THE EUROPA LEAGUE A STEP TOO FAR FOR CELTIC?
Failing to qualify for the Champions League is something of a habit at Celtic, it follows a pattern of failing to prepare through transfer windows.
Surely there is an expectation to reach the last 16 of UEFA’s second tournament?
The leading nations have four or five teams in the Champions League. There are no longer Champions League drop outs in the Europa League.
Yet, for whatever reasons O’Neill is working with a squad that he isn’t sure about whether they are Europa League ready. Last season Midtjylland, Braga and Genk finished in the top 10 of the eight match group stage.
@asimrabbani And its not the CL hes talking about. We are in the EL and he doesnt know if we are good enough to compete. Thats what DD and the board have done to the club
— Gary Madden (@Garyjmadden) October 11, 2026
Those comments came two days after claiming ‘This isn’t Celtic’ in reaction to the Green Brigade pulling out of the Home Cup Ticket Scheme.
That was in response to being named in the Celtic statement following the tame, peaceful tennis balls protest at St Andrews.
It seems that with any fans issue that the club doesn’t like the reaction is to blame the Green Brigade.
MARTIN O’NEILL- MANAGER AND CLUB SPOKESMAN
O’Neill could easily state before or at the start of media conferences that he’ll only be discussing football related matters.
Instead, three and four times a week he is open to questioning from media outlets.
With the international break over the media commitments are as heavy as the fixture list.
On Wednesday O’Neill will be required in Lisbon to host a media conference to preview the match with Benfica.
Matchday brings various media commitments. To media partners then an all in conference that Radio Scotland will broadcast live.
And when that is all over it is back home to face Hearts on Sunday and the usual media circus before and after.
Amid all that you can be certain that Celtic fans won’t be hearing from Michael Nicholson.
It seems that the £17,000 a week CEO hasn’t fully recovered from two Celtic TV interviews last December. Gerry McCulloch supplied the questions as Nicholson shared his excitement over the appointment of Wilfried Nancy. And since then Nicholson has been silent.
‘Interim’ Chairman Brian Wilson took to delivering a monthly Supporters Update.
Since promising a busy time strengthening the squad for Martin O’Neill on June 11 Wilson has concentrated his time on attacking the SNP Government in his weekly Scotsman column.
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2 Comments
by Dan
Same 💩 different day. Its easier to cut and paste rather than use your brain to write something new
by Editor
Thanks for your deep and thoughtful contribution Dan, are things a bit quiet with your virtual mates over at Celtic Quick News?