Q: You mentioned renewed enthusiasm yesterday. Could this be a key spell with a win tonight, another on Sunday, and new signings coming in?
Martin O’Neill: “It’s really as simple as that! As we say, we know that we need to supplement the squad. We need a wee bit of quality as well to help. Particularly with the extra games now, I’m sure it would be a delight for our opposition at domestic level. But we’ll go with it. You might as well. Just for us to qualify and get another European night at Celtic Park, I don’t think it will do us any harm if we get the players in. Which I’m hoping that we will do.”
Q: The last time Celtic won a knockout tie after Christmas was 2004 against Barcelona when you were in charge. Does this feel like a chance to put that right?
Martin O’Neill: “Give me that again. The last time what?”
Daizen Maeda watches on as Auston Trusty scores with a header to give Celtic a 4-2 lead. Celtic v Utrecht, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 29 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
Q: A knockout tie win after Christmas was 2004, Barcelona?
Martin O’Neill: “Was it? Good Lord. Yes, you’re right. I didn’t know that. I genuinely didn’t know that. Right that wrong. There have been a few wrongs. There have been a few wrongs in my time as well. It is genuinely nice to be in the draw, really. I’ve said this before, whether we’re good enough to continue is another issue, regardless. But it is nice actually to have another game at Celtic Park in a knockout thing. I assume we would be drawn at home first, would we?”
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