Martin O'Neill raises health fear after more late heroics as Celtic boss sees similar traits to star-studded 2000s team
“Drained” Celtic boss reacts to latest stoppage time winner against Kilmarnock as he draws comparisons to his iconic team of two decades ago
Martin O’Neill compared his current Celtic side’s battling qualities to his star-studded team of the early 2000s after the champions staged a rousing comeback to beat Kilmarnock 3-2 at Rugby Park.
January signing Julian Araujo kept the Hoops’ title defence alive as the defender’s 97th-minute winner completed a sensational turnaround from two goals down to move within three points of the Premiership summit.
Taking charge of his 300th game as Celtic manager, O’Neill was left to reflect on a vital three points that could have huge implications come the end of the season as second half goals from Sebastian Tounekti, Benjamin Nygren and Araujo sealed the fight back.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, O’Neill recalled: “Twenty-odd years ago, I managed a really fine team, who had loads of spirit, loads of determination, all saw it to the end. There were many (of the same) traits here about this side, they’ve shown fantastic character.
“A really poor first half from our viewpoint, 2-0 down at half-time, but they never gave up. Sometimes I wonder how they got themselves into this position in the first place. You can throw all the usual accolades around, but they deserve them today.
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“Even at half-time, I thought that there was still that feeling that we could turn it around if we could get a relatively early goal in the second half, and that’s what happened, so it’s great to see it.”
Martin O’Neill: ‘You just can’t keep doing that’
Quizzed on whether he is paying much attention to his side repeatedly needing to haul themselves off the canvas by popping up with last-minute winners, O’Neill responded: “It’s both worrying me, and, well, it’s not great for my health! Overall, if that’s the way you have to win games, you have to win them like that. But I agree, you just can’t keep doing that.
“I must be ecstatic, but also drained, really draining. I could have made SEVEN changes at half-time, we were really poor. Seb (Tounekti) comes on, scores a great goal, gives us a little bit of width, he’s going to take people on. I had thought about starting Alex (Oxlade-Chamberlain), but I’m not sure in terms of fitness and things I guess.
“He’s come on, just a class player, an absolutely class player. Big Tomas (Cvancara) also comes on, what a turn for the final goal, so it was great to see them making big impacts in the second half.”
Match-winner Julian Araujo earns praise after poor first-half display
While AFC Bournemouth loanee Araujo was the hero, O’Neill admitted the defender was one of many stars who failed to impress in the first half, which led to the 73-year-old ringing the changes at half-time.
Asked specifically about Araujo after signing his praises earlier in the week, O’Neill stated: “There were periods in the first-half where I would have retracted what I said about him, but he did great (for the winning goal).
“To arrive there in the box at that time, I haven’t seen it back the first time, but some of the lads were telling me he still had to put it into the net. So well done him. He made up for some of his first-half recklessness.”