Martin O’Neill has revealed he has told his Celtic players to stay off social media as he looks to ensure there is no complacency ahead of their Champions League showdown.
Management has changed considerably since O’Neill’s first spell at Parkhead two decades ago.
Back then, the Celtic boss did not have to worry about players posting on Instagram or Facebook after a big European result – or Chris Sutton winding up Rangers supporters on Twitter as he does now.
Today, social media is a major part of the modern dressing room.
Almost every Celtic player has an active account, with club stalwarts Callum McGregor and James Forrest among the notable exceptions.
It provides supporters with a way to interact with their favourite players and gives footballers the opportunity to build their own profiles.
But it can also create problems, particularly when confidence spills over into complacency or players are caught saying something they later regret.
And Martin O’Neill is taking no chances.
Following Celtic’s impressive Champions League victory over LASK, the Hoops boss has ordered his players to put their phones down and focus on the job ahead.
The Celtic manager is adamant there will be no complacency, despite the emphatic first-leg result.
“Honestly, I swear to you, there will be no complacency,” O’Neill said to the Glasgow Times.
“The players know it, they absolutely do know that we’re playing against a really good side.
“They’re capable of scoring with a lot of pace up front. They’re strong, athletic, and even their smaller lads are very, very quick. So we’ve got our work cut out.
“I don’t even think I’ll have to say anything to our lads; I really don’t
“Of course, I had some chat after the game the other night.
“But I promise you, regardless of the result, we will not be complacent.
“One thing I said to the players was, don’t be going on Facebook or Instagram, or whatever else they call it.
“I told them, leave it, leave it.
“They know. And if they don’t know, then they shouldn’t be playing the game.” [Daily Record]
It is a very different dressing-room environment to the one O’Neill inherited during his first spell at Celtic.
The rise of social media means players are now constantly exposed to supporters, pundits and opposition fans, while every post can potentially become a talking point.
There is also an added complication in the modern game, with many players’ social media accounts managed by agencies or representatives.
Matchday posts, photographs and promotional content are often scheduled or published by those teams rather than the players themselves. So let’s not go and jump into their comments this week!!
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