Martin O'Neill in half time confession after dramatic Celtic draw vs Rangers as VAR intervention addressed
The Celtic manager has reacted to a 2-2 draw against Rangers in the Premiership.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admits some doubts crept in at half-time during their dramatic 2-2 draw at Rangers in the Old Firm - as VAR’s role is addressed.
The Hoops suffered a calamitous first half where two Youssef Chermiti goals put the hosts into a commanding position. Celtic had lost last weekend against Hibs heading into this one and Kieran Tierney’s header sparked hope that it wouldn’t be two damaging defeats on the spin on league business. Reo Hatate’s rebounded late goal after VAR awarded the away side a penalty after a Dujon Sterling penalty then made sure of it as he shone off the bench.
It’s not an ideal result but Celtic are eight points off Premiership leaders Hearts, with a game in hand against Aberdeen midweek, keeping Rangers six points off the Jambos. There is a growing threat from Motherwell though who are just two points off Celtic in fourth and come to Parkhead in under two week’s time. Speaking after the game, O’Neill has fronted up the result, and admits he started to question himself in the changing room.
Martin O’Neill on Rangers 2-2 Celtic
He said on Sportsound: “It was obviously a great game. We were well and truly second best in the first half, for almost all of it. They got off to a great start. The second goal wasn't great play by us, however. It was a long way back at half-time, but this side has shown a great determination, got the ball down and played.
"The second half belonged to us and we got an equaliser which we thoroughly deserved. If you're 2-0 down at half-time, you have to question yourself. I spend my life questioning myself, to tell you the truth. But anyway, we pulled it round second half. Great effort by the players, they've shown great spirit."
O’Neill was also happy to see VAR intervene in handing Celtic their late penalty, after airing his frustrations over Auston Trusty’s red card for violent conduct last week following a video review, which Celtic appealed and lost. He said on Sky: “Well if that was the case it was flagged up the handball and VAR has done it, then that is delightful.
Celtic penalty award vs Rangers verdict
“My point last week was that if the referee, if VAR, if it's a clear and obvious decision that they have to overturn, that it's absolutely fine. My point last week was that if the referee has stood and seen something, then it does, I used the word debilitating but it doesn't really matter. I can't find another word for it. It's only because the referee starts to think, well, am I refereeing the game here? That was great and if, in fact, it was a handball then it was the right decision.
“If you're looking at it from a distance, I think that the result is a really good result for Hearts as much as anything else. That's the way, if you were involved with Hearts, you'd have been thinking a point each would be good. As I said earlier, we've been fighting the whole way through.
“It seems as if it's like the proverbial mountain to climb every single week and games are getting fewer and fewer now. Even so, we're still well in it. We're still well in this here. We need to try and win on Wednesday, and if we could do that, it'd be great. That will not be easy for us.”