Celtic

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Callum Osmand "pulled his hamstring" in Celtic's Europa League defeat to Midtjylland, confirmed interim manager Martin O'Neill.

The forward, 19, came off the bench to earn the penalty which Reo Hatate scored to make it 3-1, but minutes later he left the pitch on a stretcher.

"He's pulled a hamstring and that's something that, obviously, has never happened to him before, so he doesn't know" O'Neill said of the teenager who scored his first senior goal in Sunday's League Cup semi-final win over Rangers.

"He was distraught because, the reason being, he was just trying to get his career going, but if everything works out well, he'll recover from that, and then start again, and that's what I've said to him.

"You were starting to get going, this is just a setback for you, but it's not terminal in that sense, and you can fight back, you'll be out for X number of weeks now,.

"It's a shame because he was trying to make an impression. but that's it."

O'Neill confirmed Arne Engels "also felt his hamstring".

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Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill: "It was a tough evening. There's no question about it. We were well in the game for half an hour.

"We conceded two goals within a minute or 90 seconds of each other. The game goes away from you very, very quickly. They score a third after seven minutes and it's a long way back.

"In terms of European football, they're a very fine side. There's no question about it. They're strong, physically very, very strong. It was something that I knew anyway because of seeing them a couple of weeks ago.

"Disappointing, but I thought that we showed a bit of character in the second half. We could have gone under, it could have been any sort of score, but the players, I thought, pulled themselves together, pulled it round a bit and showed some character and resilience, for want of better words.

"The goals that we conceded weren't good, but eventually that hadn't really much to do with physicality, or certainly two of the goals, in the sense that we'd been left 1v1.

"I suppose I probably always thought this here, that 10 points would probably get you, so you would have to... We're not out of it, but that's a big lesson for us tonight, to know what it takes to be a really decent European team, and Midtjylland have shown that, and they have good experience in the side, they've got really good players, and they have that thing that is necessary, a bit of physicality.

"I think just to play football at the top level, not only do you need ability, but you need mentality and mentality sometimes overrides ability as well.

"I've seen this game where players with lesser talent, but more drive and more determination come through and players who have the talent but don't have that mentality fall by the wayside. It's only a matter of time when those things happen.

"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. Things that they may already know maybe need reminding. Maybe they don't know, and that's part of my job to do that. Well, it's not part of it. It is my job to try and improve the football club. It was tough tonight."

Celtic's momentum under interim boss Martin O'Neill came to a shuddering halt as Europa League leaders Midtjylland taught them a lesson in eight dreadful first-half minutes on a dismal night in Denmark.

Read the match report here.

Have your say here.

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• Midtjylland scored three goals in the first half of a major European game for the first time

• Midtjylland remain unbeaten against Celtic in Europe (W2 D1). Celtic have failed to win any of their last eight games against Danish clubs (including qualifiers – D3 L5).

• Celtic faced 15 shots in the first half of this match, the most they've conceded in the opening 45 minutes of a European game since November 2012 (17 v Benfica in the Champions League).

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It's amazing what a little bit of time and perspective can do.

Ten short days ago, Celtic's major shareholder Dermot Desmond unleashed his fury upon the club's former manager. Intriguingly, we're still waiting for Brendan Rodgers' side of the story.

With every passing day, however, the opinions expressed by the Irish billionaire seem less extreme. At the time, they seemed like absolute dynamite. Is the club imploding, a few wondered?

Doesn't seem like it now, does it? In fact, a great deal of what Desmond had to say appears to be holding water. His appointment of former manager Martin O'Neill to take the tiller already looks a masterstroke. It raised several hundred thousand eyebrows a week ago.

A wise old head to steer the new generation of Celtic coaches (Maloney, McManus and Fotheringham) in the right direction and re-energise the club? Of course, what a sound idea.

Played two, won two, scored seven. An early win over Rangers? Check.

A Hampden cup final against St Mirren ringed in red for 14 December? Check.

Should two further wins come against Midtjylland and Kilmarnock, don't be too surprised if the word 'interim' suddenly disappears from O'Neill's title.

What's even more fascinating, however, is the new light in which Desmond's acerbic comments can be viewed.

There was a feeling around the club in the final months of Rodgers' reign he wasn't getting anywhere near as good a tune out of the squad as he should have.

The recent dramatic upturn in energy, chances created and goals under O'Neil contrasts starkly with the dull, drab efforts in Dundee and Gorgie under his predecessor. Granted, a sample size of two matches is ludicrously small.

What about this passage in Desmond's open letter, however: "What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model but one individual's desire for self-preservation at the expense of others."

At whose expense, one might wonder? The members of the board getting it in the neck from fans? The recruitment department who, according to Rodgers when he was in post, didn't replace the speed and goals that had been taken out of the team? Or perhaps more pertinently, at the expense of players bombed out, like Callum Osmand?

Omitted from the European squad under Rodgers – like fellow new arrivals Hayato Inamura and Shin Yamada – but now playing, and scoring, like the promising 19-year-old Fulham prospect he was presumably signed as?

Colby Donovan and Dane Murray as the right side of defence? How about international players Anthony Ralson and Auston Trusty, restored to the side under O'Neill.

There were those who thought Desmond crossed a line with the content and tone of his highly public outburst.

To this correspondent's mind, the outrage has subsided. Considerably. Over to you, Brendan.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Denmark

Midtjylland right-back Kevin Mbabu is looking forward to "a special" night against Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday and admits being a former Rangers player gives him added motivation to be on the winning side.

The 30-year-old failed to make an appearance for Rangers while on loan from Newcastle United in 2015.

"Of course it will be special because I'm a former Rangers player," Mbabu said.

"The fans from Rangers will expect me to beat the enemy, especially after what happened last weekend [Celtic's win in the League Cup semi-final].

"So, of course, it will be a little bit special because I also still have a couple of friends in Scotland. I also have a former [Newcastle] team-mate that plays there, James Tavernier, who's the captain over there.

"So I definitely have to represent a little bit, maybe 1% Rangers on Thursday and do the best I can to get the three points with my team-mates."

Mbabu, who joined Midtjylland from Fulham in August 2024, is also looking forward to coming up against his old Augsburg team-mate Arne Engels.

"Of course I will send him a message later, hoping that he will be ready for the game and hoping also that he will not be on my side [of the pitch], because I will kick him," he added.

"He's a great player with huge potential that I always praise since I've seen him in Augsburg.

"An excellent right foot, complete player and hopefully he doesn't perform as I want him to be usually, but he's really a player that we can see in a big team in the next few years."

With tongue firmly in cheek, interim boss Martin O'Neill gives his thoughts on Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as his side prepare to face Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

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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

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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."

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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."

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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

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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.