Celtic

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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."

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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

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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.

Caretaker Martin O'Neill admits he is open to talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond about staying on as Celtic boss. (Scottish Sun)

But O'Neill believes Celtic will progress their search for a permanent manager during the upcoming international break. (The Herald)

Celtic legend Neil Lennon has said Brendan Rodgers' messaging wasn't as "honest" as it should have been and that led to vitriol towards the cub's board. (Premier Sports via Scottish Sun)

Premier Sports semi-final hero Callum Osmand has revealed that O'Neill's trust in him since returning to Celtic is the major difference between life with and without Rodgers. (Daily Record)

Osmand will not feature in Celtic's next game despite his goalscoring heroics as he was not included in their squad by Rodgers for the Europa League this season. (The Herald)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

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Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston believes Thelo Aaasgaard "ran the risk" and lost with the tackle that brought the Rangers midfielder a red card in their 3-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to their city rivals at Hampden.

With Celtic leading 1-0 after 38 minutes, the Norway midfielder went in high on Ralston, marking the top of the Scotland international's thigh.

"You run the risk when you go in high and you're going in with a force," Ralston said. "So the boy ran the risk and it didn't work out for him.

"It's one that changed the game and I felt we capitalised on it well."

It was 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's second game back in charge of Celtic since being made interim manager after Brendan Rodgers' shock resignation last week.

"He's been around this fixture many times and it was great to have his knowledge, along with the other coaching staff as well, who've also been around the fixture," Ralston said.

"And it helps as well that there was a good few boys within the dressing room and on the pitch that have also had a lot of experience in this fixture as well.

"So we were very calm, we were focused, we knew the job that we had to do and I felt that, to a man, we delivered today, which was great."

When asked what O'Neill is like, Ralston added: "He is great, he's funny.

"He's let us know he's been around the game for a long time in a humorous way and he's been great to just give us that experience and that confidence to go out and play our football and to have belief.

"And I think you can see that with the performances."

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Goalscorer Callum Osmand tells Premier Sports: "There are no words, it's one of those moments that don't happen.

"It's an amazing feeling, there's nothing better.

"The last few months, that's the bit that builds you as a person and a player, those moments were I've not been in squads and I'm running up and down in the rain on the pitch on my own - with a couple other boys - is painful but I feel those are the bits that create you as a player and prepare you for these moments and you just have to take it."

On Martin O'Neill, the striker added: "He said he thinks very highly of me, that the staff do, and that gives you the boost you need.

"Martin has just given me the confidence and the trust. It only takes one person to believe in you and push you on and hopefully this is just the start for me.

"I've got to keep building and pushing on.

"This is going the craziest day of my life ever, there is nothing that can really top this - unless scoring against them in the final - but it's the best day of my life."