Martin O’Neill believes that reaching ten points will be crucial for Celtic to progress after their Europa League 3-1 defeat to FC Midtjylland…
The interim boss endured his first loss since returning to the club, as first half strikes from Martin Erlic, Mikel Gogorza and Franculino Dju proved decisive despite Reo Hatate converting a second-half consolation for the Hoops.
After the match, O’Neill maintained that Celtic remain in contention for progression, but stressed the importance of producing a strong reaction in the fixtures ahead.
“I probably always thought this here that 10 points would probably get you through, so we’re not out of it,” he said via BBC Sport Scotland.
“That’s a big lesson for us to know, to know what it takes to be a really decent European team. Midtjylland have shown that and they have good experience in the side, they’ve got really good players and they have that thing that is necessary, a bit of physicality.”
O’Neill gave an update on his squad’s injury issues following the clash in Denmark, revealing that Callum Osmand, who had won a penalty after coming off the bench, seemed to suffer a hamstring problem soon afterwards.
O’Neill said: “He [Osmand] was distraught. He’s pulled a hamstring. He’s very young; it’s never happened to him before. If everything works out well, he’ll recover from that and then start again. And that’s what I said to him… ‘This is just a setback for you, it’s not terminal, and you can fight back’. He’ll be out for X number of weeks now.”
The 73 year-old further confirmed a second setback for the Hoops, revealing that Arne Engels is also struggling with an injury issue.
“He’s [Engels] feeling his hamstring as well,” O’Neill continued. “The games are coming thick and fast because we’re playing European football.”
O’Neill will now have to field an increasing weakened team – and a tired one – against Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon in what is a hugely important match where the three points simply have to be won. It’s not going to be easy.
Conor Spence
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