Martin O’Neill gave a blunt and brutal evaluation of Celtic’s points after their Europa League thrashing by Stuttgart, slamming a fan protest, explaining how a Premier League change might increase their European prospects and defending Kasper Schmeichel.
O’Neill’s aspect are all however out of their knockout play-off with Stuttgart after a 4-1 humbling within the first leg at Celtic Park.
Celtic supervisor Martin O’Neill in the course of the loss to Stuttgart
The sport was halted contained in the opening seconds when followers threw balls onto the pitch to spotlight their frustration with the membership’s board, whereas goalkeeper Schmeichel was later booed after making errors for Stuttgart targets.
Talking afterwards to TNT Sports activities, O’Neill described his workforce as “masters of our downfall” but in addition pointed to issues past the pitch, together with Celtic’s limitations within the switch market, saying: “Eventually, if the SPL [Scottish Premiership] belonged to the Premier League, I don’t think we’d have a problem.”
On the prospect of Celtic pulling off a turnaround within the second leg, he conceded: “At some stage, Celtic will become a top-quality European team. That’s in the future. But at this minute, our battles are elsewhere.”
O’Neill slams fan protests which halted recreation
After a rousing rendition of You may By no means Stroll Alone and with a giant environment generated at kick-off, Celtic supporters halted the sport inside seconds of the primary whistle.
It took round 4 minutes to clear up all of the toy balls which had been thrown onto the pitch in protest on the membership’s house owners.
Gamers choose up toy balls thrown from the gang in a protest motion in the course of the UEFA Europa League knockout spherical playoff
O’Neill did not disguise his frustration at how the incident had hampered his aspect, when requested about it by TNT Sports activities after the sport.
“Anybody who thinks that’s a good idea needs their heads examining,” he mentioned. “There’s no question about it. It sends out totally the wrong message.
“We’re taking part in towards Stuttgart. The sport is difficult sufficient.
A steward clears balls off the sector after Celtic followers protest firstly of Celtic vs Stuttgart
“The problem is, way back, some years ago, this was an incredibly intimidating place to come to. Incredibly difficult. I’ve managed here when sides like Juventus were scared stiff of coming here. Where top class sides were scared stiff.
“That form of factor doesn’t assist in any respect.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor exhibits the pressure as his aspect lose 4-1 to Stuttgart
“There have been battles going on [between fans and the board] but that doesn’t help. All it does do, Stuttgart come to this wonderful football club and find a lot of in-fighting going on and things being thrown onto the pitch… it doesn’t make any great sense to me.
“If I am a Stuttgart participant, I am considering I am fairly pleased on this setting, if that is the case.”
‘At some stage Celtic have to compete’ with big PL spending
Celtic had been crushed 4-1 at dwelling by Stuttgart within the first leg of their Europa League play-off
Celtic have not received a European knockout recreation since O’Neill oversaw a victory towards Barcelona in 2004. Requested concerning the gulf in high quality between Celtic and European sides, O’Neill steered Scottish golf equipment could should ultimately mix with the Premier League for monetary causes.
“It’s very difficult for Scottish teams [in Europe],” he defined. “There’s no money, in that sense. You’re talking about Premier League teams, Bundesliga teams buying players for £40m-£50m and them not even playing, not getting into the side.
“Gamers within the Premier League within the final couple of seasons have value £70m or £80m and are transferred for £40m about three months later. So it is ridiculous.
“We have to try to compete with that. At some stage or another we have to compete with that. That’s the difficulty of it.
“You are making an attempt to get gamers in at low value as a result of there is not any cash. Ultimately, if the SPL [Scottish Premiership] belonged to the Premier League, I do not assume we would have an issue.”
O’Neill defends Schmeichel after boos from his own fans
Bilal El Khannouss scores Stuttgart’s opener at Celtic
O’Neill advised TNT Sports activities he did not hear the boos or ironic cheers from Celtic supporters directed at Schmeichel within the second half however defended his goalkeeper and the contributions he is made to the membership.
“Kasper Schmeichel has made some great saves since I’ve been at the football club,” he mentioned.
“There was the game against Feyenoord, where he pulls off a great save there otherwise we might not be playing tonight.
“This can be a collective. There isn’t any doubt in any respect about that.”
‘We had been masters of our personal downfall’
Summing up the efficiency, O’Neill mentioned: “It’s a tough evening for us, obviously, 4-1 looks pretty poor.
“We had been masters of our personal downfall in lots of elements. We conceded some very poor targets.
“I felt at 1-1 we were well and truly in the game, even at half-time, 2-1 down.
“It was a troublesome night.”
