Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill has accused Rangers of making excuses following a fiery Old Firm clash last weekend. However, he did concede that Celtic’s Auston Trusty was fortunate not to be sent off. Rangers were left seething at referee Nick Walsh and the Hampden VAR officials for not dismissing Trusty after he appeared to kick out at goalkeeper Jack Butland’s head.
Yet, O’Neill firmly believes that Rangers should not have been awarded a penalty following Tony Ralston’s contentious handball decision. The controversy surrounding these incidents has continued throughout the week, overshadowing the build-up to Celtic’s Europa League match against Midtjylland in Denmark.
O’Neill stated: “I’m delighted to be here and if you said to me I’ve got one more win over Rangers, well that’s the best news in the world…for God’s sake, take it on. Whatever sort of excuses they make, two things.
“I don’t think it was a penalty and I think Trusty was lucky to stay on the field, having seen those things back. So, that’s my points. But it’s still one of the great fixtures in European football, if not the world.
“We won. Watching it back, sometimes there’s things you miss. We had awesome, really great chances. Rangers did great with 10 men in the second half of the game. But, we did create some chances.”
O’Neill is determined to maintain his unbeaten record as caretaker manager – with backing increasing for the 73-year-old to remain in charge for longer. Celtic are hunting for a permanent boss but Craig Bellamy has played down speculation linking him with a move from his Wales position.
O’Neill stressed it’s business as usual for him until the Parkhead hierarchy make their decision. He said: “No I haven’t (spoken to the board). I’m totally aware that the results dictate everything, everything.
“Just let’s turn the clock back and we’d lost to Rangers, then I think the hunt for the manager, which is on at this minute, becomes intensified. But if you get a result, it’s a bit of respite.
“And if you think about it now, the international break coming up in a fortnight, it’s a fair length of time for the board to be at least on the search for someone. I don’t know if they made their minds up, I haven’t been involved in any of that conversation.”
O’Neill has energised Celtic – and demonstrated he can still deliver from the touchline. He said: “Well, listen, I’m big headed enough to think I’ve always had it, had a big impact on things – even when I’ve never really had it all!”.
“No, all sorts of things go through your head. But I’m delighted no one stuck a heart monitor on me on the touchline, otherwise the doctor would not have allowed me to participate in another game.
“So that doesn’t change. Sometimes it’s quite good to know you still have a nervous excitement about football. And the answer is, genuinely, I don’t know.”
O’Neill has delivered immediate results but remains conscious of the job’s pressures at 73 years of age. He said: “If you’re talking about, for instance, the fixture list coming up, there’s no respite between now and right through to virtually late February.
“So you think, every week and midweek. That’s really challenging and it’s challenging for young men at the end of the day.
“So that I don’t know. The consideration will come from the board in that sense. If you don’t win the football matches, then it’s an easier decision for the board to make. And I think even if you did win some football matches the board would still be thinking of a younger man stepping into the job.
“That would be my view.” Wales manager Bellamy is amongst the leading candidates, but the former Hoops loan player played down speculation about the position.
He said: “I can understand the links because I played there. I’m coaching, so I definitely understand the links. But to me, I love what I’m doing at the present moment. I have to be honest.
“I’m completely focused on what’s set to come – there’s going to be a play-off in March, we know that. And to me, that’s all I’m focused on. I couldn’t want for anything more than what I have at this present moment. That’s where it lies with me. It isn’t on my radar and it won’t be on my radar.”