"On Sunday, it was about avoiding looking like the outlaw Robin Hood. On Thursday, Martin O'Neill took on a different role as teacher. The Celtic interim manager cut an exasperated figure on the sidelines in Denmark as he watched a magnificent Midtjylland teach the Scottish champions a lesson. Although the final deficit was only two goals, the 73-year-old said "it could have been any sort of score" against the team top of the Europa League table."
"Three goals in eight blistering first-half minutes had Celtic struggling for air. Three was kind, something of a robbery. There had been nine shots on goal and a further six off target. It was a hefty crash back down to earth for all invested in the Glasgow club's fortunes. O'Neill had managed to build momentum and almost mute the myriad of issues at the club. But only momentarily."
""The goals that we conceded weren't good," he said in the aftermath of his first defeat since his return. "It sounds from here as if I'm like a teacher telling them, but I will try and teach them the game as quickly as possible." In the aftermath of Sunday's League Cup semi-final extra-time victory over Rangers, O'Neill said he had aged 20 years. This arduous evening in Denmark won't have left him feeling any younger."
Martin O'Neill returned as Celtic interim manager and appeared exasperated on the sidelines as Midtjylland dominated in Denmark. Midtjylland scored three goals in eight first-half minutes, outshooting Celtic and leaving the Scottish champions gasping. Defensive errors produced the first two goals and a young forward capitalized on routine service and a dribble. Celtic's momentum after a League Cup victory evaporated as Midtjylland delivered a physical, high-quality performance. The final margin was two goals but could have been larger. O'Neill described the conceded goals as poor and expressed intent to teach his players quickly.
Read at www.bbc.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]