Celtic’s Martin O’Neill Prepares for Champions League Clash with LASK
In a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League play-off first leg against LASK, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill addressed several key topics concerning the team.
O’Neill mentioned it is unlikely that Celtic will add any new players, including a replacement for Arne Engels who recently transferred to West Ham, before the Tuesday transfer deadline at 23:00 BST. The manager expressed disappointment, stating he had hoped Engels would remain for the upcoming matches. However, he acknowledged that the midfielder’s decision to avoid potential injuries was understandable.
Regarding the search for Engels’ replacement, O’Neill said, “We’re still in the process of trying to do that. We haven’t been able to get someone in, in time, to do that. But there are a number of players that we’re looking at and hopefully we will by the end of the transfer window.”
While O’Neill highlighted the prestige of participating in the Champions League, he noted that the financial benefits could help Celtic attract quality players before the league stage begins. He confirmed that new midfielder Mika Baur is expected to start in the upcoming match.
O’Neill acknowledged interest in Reo Hatate but clarified that there have been no concrete developments as of yet. He remarked, “But I don’t think there’s been anything definitive. That may well happen in the next week.” Expressing his confidence in Hatate, he added that he would support the player if he chose to stay and work towards regaining his form.
Looking ahead to the match, O’Neill described LASK as a “very fine side” and predicted that the tie would pose a significant challenge for Celtic. He noted, “We’ve watched them now on numerous occasions. We’ve had people watching them live. They are very fast up front as well, lots of good players on the side. And they’re very, very strong. Physically strong as well.”
O’Neill said taking a first-leg lead into Austria would be “lovely,” but reassured that it wouldn’t be “the end of the world” if they failed to achieve that. He expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the challenge, stating, “It’s up to the players now as much as anything else. I think the quality that we brought in will bear fruit during the course of the season.”
Lastly, O’Neill shared his excitement over experiencing his first Champions League tie in over two decades. He remarked, “I didn’t think last September or October I’d be sitting here thinking about a Champions League game. If I was, I’d certainly be watching it on TV.” The veteran manager, now 74 years old, acknowledged the challenges presented by the tournament but found it thrilling, especially at this stage in his career.
Looking forward to the League Cup quarter-finals, O’Neill commented on Celtic’s away draw against Rangers, saying, “I’m looking forward to it when it comes to it. Naturally, the concentration is totally in these two games. But it is what it is. We’re drawn away from home again.”
Martin O’Neill has been speaking to the media before Celtic host LASK in the Champions League play-off first leg on Wednesday.
Here are the main lines from the Celtic manager:
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O’Neill says it’s unlikely Celtic will sign any players – including a replacement for Arne Engels following his West Ham move – before Tuesday’s deadline (23:00 BST).
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The Celtic boss wanted Engels to stay for the play-off but the midfielder “didn’t want to play in the matches in case he got injured”, which O’Neill says is understandable.
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On trying to find a replacement for Engels, he adds: “We’re still in the process of trying to do that. We haven’t been able to get someone in, in time, to do that. But there are a number of players that we’re looking at and hopefully we will by the end of the transfer window.”
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For O’Neill the prestige of playing in the Champions league is more important than the money it generates for the club. But he says the cash would enable Celtic to attract more couple before the league stage.
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O’Neill says new midfield arrival Mika Baur will probably start in midfield.
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He confirms there has been interest in Reo Hatate, adding: “But I don’t think there’s been anything definitive. That may well happen in the next week.”
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O’Neill would have no problem if Hatate wanted stay and battle to rediscover the form that made him “one of best midfielders in Scotland” two seasons ago.
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Austrian champions LASK are a “very fine side” and the tie will be “very, very difficult” for Celtic. O’Neill adds: “We’ve watched them now on numerous occasions. We’ve had people watching them live. They are very fast up front as well, lots of good players on the side. And they’re very, very strong. Physically strong as well.”
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O’Neill says a first-leg lead to take to Austria would be “lovely” but it’s not “the end of the world” if Celtic don’t manage it.
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Celtic are “ready for the challenge” and O’Neill says: “It’s up to the players now as much as anything else. I think the quality that we brought in will bear fruit during the course of the season.”
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The 74-year-old is excited for his first Champions League tie in more than two decades, saying: “I didn’t think last September or October I’d be sitting here thinking about a Champions League game. If I was, I’d certainly be watching it on TV.” He adds: “There are challenges in this Champions League. You could get nothing else but excited about it, which is fantastic, especially at my age.”
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On drawing Rangers away in the League Cup quarter-finals: “I’m looking forward to it when it comes to it. Naturally, the concentration is totally in these two games. But it is what it is. We’re drawn away from home again.”
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