Celtic

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Former Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko has warned Midtjylland are "scoring for fun" this season and highlighted Guinea-Bissau striker Franculino as the main danger.

Midtjylland top the Europa League standings with three wins from three and Sviatcheko - who has had two spells with the Danish club - says they will provide a formidable test for Martin O'Neill's side.

"Franculino is the main striker, he's banged in 13 goals in 13 league appearances this season," the 34-year-old centre-back told BBC Scotland.

"He's the one they're talking about that could be the £30m, £40m man that can go out the Danish Super League. It's never been done before, but they had some offers from Bayern Munich and they really hope that can be that guy.

"But all in general, new coach Mike Tullberg came in and has sparked a little bit more of intensity and fluidity in their attacking play.

"So its going to be very interesting to see the Celtic defence going up against these very, very hot strikers and offensive players."

Asked if he is fearful for of Celtic's chances, Sviatchenko, who now plays for MLS side Houston Dynamo, believes the Old Firm derby in last weekend's League Cup semi-final will give O'Neill's men confidence.

"I think I feared it more if they didn't have that Rangers game before this match," he said.

"I think it'll be a very close game. Two teams that want the ball, but Midtjylland is also direct sometimes.

"If Celtic wants to have success, maybe they'll try the same, go a bit more direct, get the chances created and maybe get an early goal and see what Midtjylland then needs to be doing."

Sviatchenko helped Midtjylland beat Celtic when the sides last met, with the Danes progressing 3-2 on aggregate in the second round of Champions League qualifying which marked Ange Postecoglou's first games in charge in summer 2021.

"It was a big experience for me personally, coming back to Celtic Park and getting a really good result," Sviatchenko said.

"It was just amazing to see all the Celtic fans seeing me play at their stadium, but in a different jersey being captain."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Denmark

Image source, SNS

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel says resuscitating Celtic's fragile confidence has been a key method of interim boss Martin O'Neill.

Schmeichel, back in his homeland for the Europa League tie against Midtjylland on Thursday night, said: "A lot of things are a lot easier when you get the confidence of winning games. And one of the first things the boss said was to remind us that we are a very good team. I think that was one of the big issues with us.

"We were lacking a bit of confidence because we were creating chances. We just weren't really sticking them away. And even the other day [against Rangers], we probably shouldn't have gone to extra time.

"But yeah, that confidence always helps massively. And when you've got very good players like we do, then that's how you transform those near misses into wins.

"We were a group who had an incredibly good season last season. When you think about when we almost beat Bayern Munich away, it doesn't just happen overnight. It's a confidence thing.

"And getting people to believe in themselves again, I think that's one of the key things. But there's obviously other stuff, and that's something we'll keep to ourselves."

Schmeichel is relishing playing on Danish soil on Thursday although revealed it won't act as extra motivation for him.

"I've never played club football back here," the 39-year-old said. "So to come back to Denmark, and granted it's a while from Copenhagen where I'm from, but it's always good to be home.

"I wouldn't say I'm extra motivated or anything. But it's of course great."

Image source, SNS

Martin O'Neill "has got the bug" after being rushed into becoming interim manager and his early success means Celtic have no need "to rush" into appointing a permanent boss, Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes suggests.

Celtic have won their two games under their 73-year-old former manager and Dykes, from A Celtic State of Mind, says it has been "refreshing" in an age where he thinks some managers over-coach players and rely heavily on analysis.

"Martin has come in and most of the changes are basic changes - old-school changes," he told BBC Scotland's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I know it's only two games, but we were really stale. We were really predictable, it was the side-to-side passing, it was all the ball between the two centre-halves and the goalkeeper.

"And he's torn it up and done some simple things like. Let's push Callum McGregor further forward. Let's push Arne Engels into more of a number six."

Centre-half Auston Trusty and forward Callum Osmand have also made an impact, having been out in the cold under Brendan Rodgers.

"And it's working and it's intense again and entertaining to watch," Dykes said.

"We had got stuck in a rut and Martin O'Neill has somehow managed to navigate us out of it for the time being."

Dykes thinks Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna could be an attractive long-term option given major shareholder Dermot Desmond "likes appointing Irish".

However, of O'Neill he added: "I think he's got the bug now. He stressed the fact that this is interim.

"He wins that game at the weekend and, all of a sudden, he is asking what the date is for the cup final and saying it would be a proud moment for him.

"It was a shock when Martin O'Neill came back into the fold. You thought to yourself - his legacy was 20-odd years ago.

"But he's got the tracksuit on and I think, for as long as these results continue, more and more fans are getting right into this.

"It seems to me we are in safe hands at the moment, so let's not rush any decisions."

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic have drawn up a longlist of around eight potential managerial targets as former midfielder Efrain Juarez is put forward as a dark-horse contender for the job. (Scottish Sun), external

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill has accused Rangers of making excuses after Sunday's League Cup semi-final, but does concede Auston Trusty was fortunate not to be sent off. (Daily Express), external

Martin O'Neill admits Celtic's 2003 Uefa Cup final loss to Porto still "keeps me awake at night" as he prepares for his first game in the competition since that Seville heartache.

Celtic knocked out clubs including Blackburn and Liverpool on their memorable run 22 years ago before succumbing 3-2 after extra-time to Jose Mourinho's Porto, who O'Neill says "spent a lot of time on the ground" in a thinly-veiled dig at their theatrics.

With the 73-year-old having returned as interim manager last week, O'Neill faces the biggest challenge of his early reign with a trip to face table-topping Midtjylland in what is now the Europa League.

"We got beaten in the final so it's not great news. That's a long time ago, 2003," said O'Neill.

"If you were asking me a week ago would I ever actually be involved in another European game, I think you'd have a fair idea what the answer was.

"The 2003 games, yeah, they are very vivid. When I think about Blackburn Rovers, big game for us and we go and defeat them and that was important.

"Then we go and beat Liverpool in the quarter-final which was fantastic, then we scramble over the line in the semi-final [against Boavista].

"Then we lose to a very, very talented side in the final - who spent a lot of time on the ground I must admit, a lot of time. That keeps me awake at night."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Denmark

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League match against Midtjylland.

Here are the key points:

• O'Neill says Celtic should be "aspiring to be playing in big European games".

• He describes the match against Europa League leaders Midtjylland as "massive", adding the Danes are a "very, very good side and they deserve to be where they are".

• O'Neill watched Midtjylland win 3-2 at Nottingham Forest last month and is expecting them to be physical and very good on set-pieces. He is not surprised they've got full points from three games.

• Celtic have taken confidence from beating "big rivals" Rangers on Sunday to reach the Premier Sports Cup final, but are not getting "too carried away with things".

• On his memories of taking Celtic to the Uefa Cup final in 2003, he says that run is "very vivid indeed" and the final loss to Porto still "keeps me awake at night".

• On adding Callum Osmand to the European squad in place of injured Cameron Carter-Vickers, he says the 19-year-old striker's impact is "great for him" and praised his "really good attitude".

• Team news: Alistair Johnston and Kelechi Iheanacho haven't travelled to Denmark.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Denmark

Image source, SNS

Midtjylland head coach Mike Tullberg believes interim manager Martin O'Neill has "brought a new energy" to Celtic before the sides go head to head in the Europa League.

The Danes sit top of the 36-team table after opening with three wins while Celtic are 21st following a draw with Red Star Belgrade, defeat to Braga and victory over Sturm Graz.

Since replacing Brendan Rodgers, O'Neill has won his two games so far, including Sunday's 3-1 League Cup semi-final success against Rangers, and Tullberg says the Scottish champions are "looking more lively".

He added: "I think the biggest difference is the energy and the power. Sometimes it is like this when you change the gaffer, if you're struggling a little bit, then it sometimes releases some energy, and I think we saw that with two wins.

"So I'm pretty sure it's going to be a tough match for us tomorrow evening.

"They [Celtic] took in a legend, not only in the club, but in the country as well, so we're aware of that. Of course it's a manager who has seen a lot, and done a lot, with a lot of experience.

"So they will come over here to try to get a better position in the Europe League, but we are thinking about our team and not speaking so much about our opponent."

As a player Tullberg spent a short spell on loan at Hearts in the 2008-2009 season, and admits he's enjoying watching his old side set the pace in the Scottish title race.

"As an old Hearts player, you're always following the teams where you played yourself," the 39-year-old said.

"I didn't play for such a long time because I was injured, but I had a great time at Hearts. I still have some friends over there and of course I'm happy about the situation."

Tino
Fan writer

After six years away from management Martin O'Neill made a sensational return to the Celtic dugout last week.

Alongside Shaun Maloney - a player he handed a debut to more than 20 years ago - O'Neill has guided Brendan Rodgers' struggling side to two wins from two, reigniting a spark that had been badly missing from the team.

Supporters, too, have been lifted by the return of a man who holds legendary status around Parkhead. For a new generation of fans, it's a first glimpse of the charisma and influence that made O'Neill such an iconic figure at Celtic.

Let's be honest, no one on the planet can galvanise the Celtic fanbase quite like the affable Irishman. And yes, that includes his former number seven, Henrik Larsson.

But at 73 years of age, should he really be considered a long-term successor to Rodgers?

I was asked that very question this week - what could any prospective new manager offer that the duo of O'Neill and Maloney don't already provide?

And I didn't have an answer. Because between them, they bring just about everything you'd want from a modern management team.

O'Neill offers vast experience, unrivalled man-management and motivational skills, and when it comes to handling the media, few do it better.

Maloney, 42, approaches things from a different perspective. Described by those who know him best as a "deep thinker", he's deeply engaged with data, analysis and tactical detail.

Alongside Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus, Maloney has taken a hands-on role in training - an arrangement not unlike the O'Neill, Steve Walford and John Robertson dynamic of a quarter century ago.

It's also clear both men have the full respect of Callum McGregor and his team-mates, as recent comments have shown.

So while my initial reaction to their interim appointment was that it would be a smart temporary move, but nothing more than that - I'm no longer so sure.

Maybe that's just what a cup semi-final win over Rangers does to you.

Of course, Celtic should cast the net wide in the search for a new manager. The prospect of names like Kjetil Knutsen, Kieran McKenna or even leftfield candidate Wilfried Nancy is exciting - and I share that excitement.

But when all is said and done, Celtic might just find that the best men to take the club forward are already in the building.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Image source, SNS

Callum Osmand has replaced the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers in Celtic's Europa League squad before the trip to face Midtjylland on Thursday.

Striker Osmand was originally left out of the 25-man pool by previous manager Brendan Rodgers, but has been given a chance by interim boss Martin O'Neill, making his debut against Falkirk last midweek then scoring in the League Cup semi-final win over Rangers.

Now, thanks to a Uefa rule that allows clubs to replace players who are out injured long term, the 19-year-old comes in for USA international Carter-Vickers, who is sidelined with Achilles damage.

Celtic have four points from their first three Europa League matches while Danes Midtjyllland top the table with three wins from three.

Image source, SNS

We asked if you would like to see interim boss Martin O'Neill stay at Celtic for the remainder of the season.

Here are some of your comments:

Derry: Definitely, he should stay and Celtic maybe stop looking for a new manager. Give him the contract.

Joe: It's a no-brainer to keep O'Neill as manager until the end of the season. The man is a legend. He can motivate this Celtic squad to another treble.

Luna: Yes, keep O'Neill until next season then appointment someone new, but definitely not Ange Postecoglou!

Paul: If the results continue, I don't see why not, O'Neill knows what's needed to win and he's already instilled that. So the end of the season could be a minimum. Won't see his leaps on the touchline but his enthusiasm still for the team and the club resonates and that can only be a good thing.

Sean: O'Neill provides a great management option, brings some stability and the opportunity to see some good football and make a good season out of what has been a poor start amid chaos, mistakes and recriminations on and off the field. The board can hopefully bring in the best available permanent manger after having firstly taken time to decide what they are looking to achieve and secondly, hold a proper recruitment process to see who is right for the job.

Don: Depends on who their main target is and their availability. Names like Craig Bellamy and Kjetil Knutsen are doing the rounds and neither are available now. None of this detracts from the fine job O'Neill has done with the same tools as Brendan Rodgers, who clearly was guilty of squad mismanagement. The squad have clearly responded positively to the change.

Brian: Surely it's a no-brainer. O'Neill, Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and other staff have done a fantastic job instilling belief into players that Rodgers couldn't motivate. Give them until the end of the season, then appoint a young coach on a three-year contract.

Adolphus: Give O'Neill the job until the end of the season, his arrival has had a brilliant effect on the team.

John: It's early days but he has definitely got the players believing again. I would definitely consider keeping Martin on until the end of the season if he wants it.

Jonnie: I don't think O'Neill staying at Celtic would be a bad thing at all. The players responded to him instantly and the performances have been excellent, I think he has earned the right to stay longer. In Martin we trust!

Image source, SNS

Celtic are considering a January move for 20-year-old Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, who is out of contract next summer. (The Herald), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Callum Osmand says Sunday's clinching goal against Rangers "was just a start" as he aims to establish himself in the Celtic side.

Osmand netted the holders' third in the 3-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final win, with the Welshman making only his second appearance since joining from Fulham.

"It's been what I've been working for my whole life, to play in these sort of games, so it's hard to put into words," said the 19-year-old forward.

"But that's what I want to keep doing, keep playing. It really gives you that boost to keep pushing.

"Obviously, Sunday was just a start, though. I don't want to get too ahead of myself, because as quickly as it can become good, it can also go on the downside as well. I've just got to keep my head down and keep working."

The teenager made his club debut last midweek in the 4-0 Scottish Premiership win over Falkirk after being on the periphery for most of this season.

"It wasn't easy," he explained. "Obviously, it's tough not being in squads, it sort of feels like you're, not an outsider, but it feels like you're not giving as much as you want to give. Hopefully, now I can just keep pushing on.

"I wasn't really too sure on what to expect when I came up here. But if you'd told me a year ago that I'd be doing what I am now, I would have been so happy, even if I wasn't playing.

"I was just going to come in and obviously if I'd played, I would have been happy. If I didn't play, then I knew it might take some time."

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

James McFadden believes Martin O'Neill's positive start as interim manager could keep him at Celtic longer than initially anticipated.

Celtic's derby success over Rangers in the League Cup semi-final leaves the interim duo of O'Neill and Shaun Maloney with two wins from two, bringing an air of positivity back to the club following a turbulent start to the season.

"O'Neill coming in would have been a stop-gap, which it still probably is, but with there being such an improvement in performance levels, it may well allow the Celtic board more time to get this decision right," former Scotland forward McFadden told the BBC's Monday Night Club podcast.

"The difficulty you then have is, the better the performances are, the better the results are, the temptation might be to leave Martin in situ for a little bit longer."

Although Celtic have not stated how long O'Neill and Maloney would be in charge, keeping the duo until the end of the season would not be a bad decision from the hierarchy, according to McFadden.

"I don't think it would be but you're in the same position come the end of the season," he added.

"Whoever comes in, the bare minimum is to win the league, you don't need to be a top-level manager to be able to win the league with Celtic because you have the best players.

"I don't think it would be the worst thing but it has to be with a view for Martin to step away in the summer unless he's still got the energy to continue."

Shay Given, meanwhile, played under O'Neill for the Republic of Ireland and believes one of the 73-year-old's greatest strengths is his ability to simplify messages to his players.

"He simplifies a lot of things. Sometimes you can have too much information when you cross the white line. Sometimes, simplicity is genius and I know Martin will say that," said Given.

"Martin will be a voice, he's a leader, he's great at motivating people."

Celtic fans, would you like O'Neill to stay in the hotseat until the end of the season? Or should appointing a permanent manager still be a priority for Celtic in the coming weeks?

Let us know your thoughts.

Image source, SNS

Callum McGregor says young strikers Johnny Kenny and Callum Osmand can "conquer the world" thanks to their new-found confidence after being thrust into the Celtic spotlight.

Irishman Kenny, who has recently been given his chance due to injuries to Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho, scored a double in the 4-0 midweek win over Falkirk then headed the opener in the 3-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final triumph against Rangers on Sunday.

Osmand, 19, completed the Hampden victory in extra time with his first goal for the club as Celtic, under interim bosses Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney, set up a final against St Mirren.

McGregor, who thundered in Celtic's second against Rangers, said of Kenny and Osmand: "It's always an opportunity for every player when they come in.

"They're working so, so hard to develop and get to the level with the first-team boys.

"Johnny scores two during the week and you just know, when you've been around football a long time, I just knew he would have an impact on Sunday.

"He has taken himself to another level in terms of status now, scoring against Rangers, so he'll be brimming with confidence and the same with young Ossie.

"There's been times where he's been out the squad but he's a player who trains so hard every day and has a nice finish as well, so he's one that's just going to keep developing and strikers with confidence can go and conquer the world."

McGregor is enjoying working under the new management team of O'Neill, Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus.

He said: "It's a collective effort, always has been, always will be.

"The staff behind the manager have been so good this week just having that continuity of message and training level, everything, it's all interconnected.

"The manager can't do it on his own, he needs his backroom staff in the same way the players can't do it on their own. So it's a real collective effort and that's something I'm super proud of in the last week."

Image source, SNS

Celtic needed extra time to see off 10-man Rangers and reach the Premier Sports Cup final on Sunday, a second victory in two matches for interim manager Martin O'Neill.

O'Neill returned to the club last week after Brendan Rodgers resigned following a lacklustre start to the season on the pitch and a rift with Dermot Desmond off it.

Since the Northern Irishman left Parkhead, O'Neill has swatted aside Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership and now won an Old Firm derby at Hampden.

However, are the nature of Celtic's performances in those two matches more notable than the results?

"The only Celtic fan who would be uncomfortable watching that would be Brendan Rodgers, because where has that intensity, that aggression, that press, that desire been in recent months?" football journalist Stephen McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Where has Callum Osmand been? He's been consigned to B team football - didn't really feel like he'd been given a chance. Auston Trusty didn't play in that big game at Hearts, comes in [against Rangers] and wins man of the match.

"Johnny Kenny has scored three goals in two games since the change of manager."

McGowan believes that a couple more positive results will lead to calls for O'Neill to take the job until the end of the season.

Celtic travel to Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting Kilmarnock in the league on Sunday.

"There's certainly momentum with Martin O'Neill now," McGowan said. "He seems very reluctant, doesn't he, still to say that he wants the job. Maybe for the fear of, you know, maybe letting himself down or not getting it.

"But I think if they get a result against Midtjylland and they see off Kilmarnock next weekend, I think there will be a bit of a bandwagon.

"I'm not saying he should get the job on a permanent basis, but I think Celtic can see now that in Martin O'Neill they have got a safe pair of hands.

"I think they'll be OK certainly, through to the international break, maybe even up to the festive period.

"I don't think they're going to rush into appointing a manager - I think they are going to take their time. If he wins the next couple of games I think there will be bit of a groundswell maybe even to keep him on to the summer."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Martin O'Neill conceded he "didn't know anything" about Callum Osmand until a week ago, but he has hailed his "excellent" contribution since.

"The young man is very sharp," the Celtic interim manager said after the teenager's goalscoring display in the League Cup semi-final win over Rangers.

"He wants to get a couple of DVDs on Henrik [Larsson] - that would help. He's got plenty of confidence, he was arguing with everyone at the end."

Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon described Osmand as "something a little bit different".

In a vibrant and influential showing at Hampden, the Welshman had five shots and picked up a yellow card for a foul on Rangers captain James Tavernier.

His goal came with his fifth effort, a first-time finish between the posts following a low cross from the left by Kieran Tierney.

In the build-up, the youngster's intense pressing helped Celtic regain the ball in the final third when he dispossessed Joe Rothwell.

That kind of drive has been missing from a Celtic side that have failed to score in six games this term and have netted fewer league goals than Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian and Dundee United.

But with seven goals in their past two games under O'Neill, and young duo Osmand and Johnny Kenny emerging from the shadows, there are suddenly signs of life in the forward line.

"That summed up a Celtic team under Martin O'Neill," former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner said on BBC Sportsound.

"High energy, everybody banging into tackles. Is that what we are going to get from Celtic every week now?".

Read more: From zero to hero - but can Osmand kick on at Celtic?

Celtic captain Callum McGregor talks to the media after his side reached the Premier Sports Cup final with a win over Rangers at Hampden.