Martin O'Neill Urges Celtic to 'Give It a Go' in Europa League Amid Title Fight
In a season marked by turmoil and a fierce three-way battle for the Scottish Premiership, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has emphatically stated that European success remains a key priority for the club. The 73-year-old, drawing on his celebrated history with Celtic in continental competitions, used pre-match media duties ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash against Utrecht to rally his players and fans alike.
O'Neill's Call for Renewed Enthusiasm
O'Neill pointed to recent performances, such as a hard-fought result in Feyenoord and a gutsy display in Bologna, as evidence that Celtic should not abandon their European aspirations. "We don't now want to just throw it away," he asserted. "We want to try and go for it if we can. We could still lose the game. We might not win the match and we might go out of the competition, but we want to give it a go."
He highlighted the potential for a morale boost, suggesting that progressing in the Europa League could provide renewed enthusiasm, especially if coupled with a win in Sunday's domestic fixture against Falkirk and possible new signings by Monday. "It could give us renewed enthusiasm," O'Neill added, underscoring the psychological lift such achievements could offer in a challenging campaign.
Challenges in a Messy Season
Celtic's path has been far from smooth this term. The club's January transfer window has been notably quiet, with only loan signings Julián Araujo and Tomas Cvancara arriving, and more spent on a failed appeal against Auston Trusty's red card than on permanent acquisitions. This has sparked anxiety among supporters, who fear the team's ponderous approach in the market could undermine their title hopes, with Hearts and Rangers mounting strong challenges.
Hearts, in particular, outplayed Celtic for large portions of a recent 2-2 draw, highlighting the competitive pressure in the Scottish Premiership. Despite this, O'Neill remains calm and rational, acknowledging his interim role and the need for strategic thinking. "I'm sure Wilfried would have had a set of players that he was interested in," he said, referring to former manager Wilfried Nancy. "That might be a different set of players to me and it might have been a different set of players to Brendan. I came in on 5 January and you try to get to work immediately on players."
Strategic Transfer Approach
O'Neill emphasised a long-term perspective, noting that as an interim manager, he is cautious about imposing signings that a future permanent boss might not favour. "There's a fairly decent chance I won't be here next year. So from that viewpoint I really don't want to thrust somebody on [the club] that [a new manager] might not like," he explained. His goal is to recruit players who can make an immediate impact while also appealing to any incoming manager.
He also defended the club's board, insisting there is no division between management and directors regarding transfer funds. "Who is to say we might not spend money? There is a willingness," O'Neill stated, outlining the challenges of navigating transfer lists where prices and circumstances can change rapidly.
European Ambitions Unwavering
Returning to Celtic Park for a European tie for the first time since 2004—a 0-0 draw with Milan—O'Neill's ambitions on the continental stage remain undimmed. He recalled past glories, such as a Champions League point at Camp Nou, and stressed that aiming high in Europe is fundamental to Celtic's identity. "I don't care who is going to manage this club, that's what you aim for," he declared. "It's what the club is there for. It will be the same for the club across the road. That is what the two clubs are built on so you've got to go for it."
While acknowledging the current gap in quality, O'Neill believes striving for European success is essential. "We're a good distance away from that at this minute. But that's what you should be aiming for. Why not?" he said, reflecting on the special atmosphere of Champions League nights at Celtic Park and the fearless players of past eras.
Looking Ahead
As Celtic prepare to face Utrecht, a team struggling in the Eredivisie, failure to progress would be a significant blow to the club's credibility. Yet, O'Neill's message is clear: embrace the challenge and aim high. His unwavering ambition, honed over decades in football, continues to drive the team forward, even in a season fraught with ifs, buts, and maybes.
With the Europa League offering a potential respite from domestic pressures, O'Neill's call to give it a go resonates as a rallying cry for a club seeking to balance immediate results with long-term aspirations on both the Scottish and European stages.
