Martin O’Neill wasn’t in the mood for any simplistic narratives as he faced the media in Rotterdam, snapping back at a question that suggested he’d simply “ensure” Celtic left with three points.

The interim boss, preparing for what will be his final European match in charge before Wilfried Nancy arrives, was asked right at the start of the press conference: “Feyenoord, this is what you’re here to talk about tonight. It’s a huge match for the club. I presume you’ll be wanting to ensure that when you do depart you’ll have left having picked up three points here?”

O’Neill sarcastically replied:

“Oh yeah, just as easy as that. It’s very, very simple. You’re joking me, aren’t you?”

When the journalist replied, “No,” O’Neill fired back with a more grounded assessment.

“No? OK. No, we’re going to try and win the game, of course.”

Nothing about this trip is “simple”, and O’Neill knows better than anyone that sentiment alone won’t win matches in Europe.

Feyenoord haven’t been at their best, losing four of their last five matches. Thursday night will be no easy task for the Hoops, who desperately need a win in the Europa League to life them up the table.

The campaign started with a 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade. That was somewhat promising and gave Celtic a platform to build on.

But that was then followed by a 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park to Braga.

Then manager Brendan Rodgers did manage to get a win over Sturm Graz, but Midtjylland convincingly beat Martin O’Neill’s side.

Celtic sit on four points after four matches, and are down in 27th.

A win tonight could see them rise up the table, into the playoff places.

But as Martin O’Neill knows, it will be no easy match for the Hoops.

2 COMMENTS

  1. In what way was Martin O’N being sarcastic – as you have stated ????

    Honestly this site is NEVER a Celtic fan site.

  2. Martin has been around Scotland long enough to know how the snider press operate up here. They ask a question with an undertone of another , and hope Celtic will slip up!, Good on you Martin for taking them too task!, These little bampots are out to trip us up,but Martin is too smart for them. They forget we are not the Huns who get everything going their way when they need it!, Look no further back than ibrokes against Livingstone!, They shut up quickly about Trusty, when that lovely orange man, while wearing his orange ranger strip, ignored a stone wall penalty against his beloved team,!, Shocking bigotry at its worse, and he gets away with it !, And the SFA say sorry , while Livingstone were cheated out of three points, just to ensure the ibrokes hun survived another game. Where are all the goody goody writers now about fair play? Oh yes they were also wearing their hun strips, and blue tinted glasses!

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