Martin O'Neill makes Celtic best XI confession ahead of Europa League must-win as injury update on star issued
Celtic face Besiktas in Europa League as they seek to get off the mark
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill claims they’re ‘running out of matches’ in the Europa League and admitted he still doesn’t know their best 11 ahead of their clash with Besiktas.
Three successive defeats to Ferencvaros, Benfica and Celta Vigo leave the Hoops 35th of 36 in Europe’s second-tier competition. As they prepare to welcome Turkish giants Besiktas on Thursday night, another loss would give them a mountain to climb going into the second half of the league phase.
The Europa League has proved to be a stark reality check for O’Neill’s men, who only a few months ago had the Champions League within their grasp. Since then, the Hoops boss admits he’s still unsure what his best team is amid constant recent changes.
O’Neill makes Celtic best XI confession amid recent personnel changes
Celtic’s European struggles have even infected them domestically of late, having drawn at home Dundee United and losing away to Falkirk in their last two outings. Having made several personnel changes for the trip to FK2, when asked if he knows his best XI, O’Neill responded: “No, I keep getting asked this question.
“Until I know exactly what everyone can do at the football club, then I probably won't know that. And it's not always knowing about your best team because we've had a lot of games and we're rotating a bit as well to try and save some legs, save a little bit of energy.
“I genuinely think when we get our best team out, maybe by the next four or five weeks (through injuries), then we can win games (in Europe) but we're definitely running out of matches, no question about it. But we are capable of still qualifying. If, let's say, 10 points is the mark, it means you really have to go away and win, not draw.”
O’Neill issues Yang injury update
Korean winger Yang Hyun-jun was spotted at Lennoxtown this week, sparking questions about his long-awaited return from a hamstring issue picked up on international duty. O’Neill confirmed his return is nigh - but Thursday night will likely come to soon. He continued: “Yang's done a little bit of training, yes. Maybe too early for him for tomorrow. Hopefully he's going to be around for Sunday. He definitely wants to be. If Yang had his way, he'd even be thinking about tomorrow himself. He's really up for it now.”
His South Korean international teammate and former Celtic striker Oh Gyeon-gyu will is likely to lead the line for the visitors tomorrow. O’Neill is well aware of what the Turkish giants have to offer given their strong record so far in the competition. He added: “They (Besiktas) look a real handful, a real handful, no question.
“I didn't realise this until I started watching them, that the centre-forward (Oh) they have used to be here, the big fella. So I don't know whether he has a point to prove or we have a point to prove! They've got some really decent players and so far their points tally is terrific.”