Q: There’s a full week of training ahead of Motherwell?
Martin O’Neill: “That would be nice to have a wee look at things. So the boys have got a couple of days off now, which they deserve for their efforts. And I think we’re back on Wednesday morning, so it gives us a little run-through until Saturday.”
Liam Scales celebrates after Celtic won the Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Q: What was the thinking behind Liam Scales at left-back today? Because Marcelo Saracchi was available as well?
Martin O’Neill: “Yes, Saracchi was available, but we thought we would start with Scales at left back. The very natural concern is from set pieces, things like that. Scales played left back and done it admirably, but it was really for that there. We just needed a little bit more height for the set pieces, and it turned out that that’s exactly what was needed.”
Q: What was the timescale on Callum and Kieran? Will they be back for Motherwell?
Martin O’Neill: “That’s a good point. I think Kieran should, if I thought that he might have been able to have done maybe 30 minutes, all being well today, which he could not. I’m hoping that he will be back for next week. Callum, we would just have to have a look. Before the game, when the two of them dropped out, it was a major loss, so for the players to compensate for that, it was brilliant.”
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
