Martin O’Neill fears that extra protests at matches might additional derail Celtic’s season.
Thursday’s Europa League conflict with Stuttgart at Parkhead was disrupted within the first minute when supporters threw tennis balls onto the pitch.
The disturbance got here amid a season of unrest, which has seen followers demand the elimination of the board after they presided over a pointy decline within the membership’s fortunes throughout the previous yr.
With no decision in sight, O’Neill admits he’s anxious {that a} repeat of the incident witnessed on the outset of the 4-1 loss to the Germans might dent the facet’s possibilities of home success.
Requested about the identical state of affairs probably taking part in out as his facet host Hibs within the Premiership tomorrow, he stated: ‘Properly, I might hope not, completely. As a result of it might have the identical impact. I don’t assume it does anyone any good, a disruption of a recreation like that.
‘I can not cease individuals shouting no matter they wish to shout on the finish of the day. However disrupting the sport doesn’t assist psychologically or in some other facet.’
Martin O’Neill endured a chastening night on the event of his 1,000th recreation as a supervisor
The sport was delayed simply after kick-off when followers threw tennis balls on to the park
Sebastian Tounekti seems to be bewildered as Stuttgart have fun one other purpose of their 4-1 triumph
Interim chairman Brian Wilson final night time backed O’Neill’s name by urging followers to finish the disruptions instantly. He believes such protests couldn’t solely have an effect on the staff’s efficiency at an important stage of the marketing campaign, however hamper strikes to finish the continuing suspension of the Inexperienced Brigade.
The previous Labour Get together politician, who’s at present locked in talks with a number of disaffected teams, stated: ‘Final night time was deeply disappointing for the membership in lots of respects. This began with an orchestrated disruption of the sport, inflicting a delay to an necessary match.
‘Over the previous two weeks, I’ve met with a variety of supporters teams and particular person supporters. I’ve met in good religion with representatives of the Inexperienced Brigade and was hopeful that progress might have been made; certainly this stays the case. I additionally met in good religion with representatives of the Celtic Followers Collective.
‘After I got here into this position, I requested for unity contained in the stadium to help the staff whereas attempting to resolve different points. I wish to see suspensions lifted and distinction put aside, however this can’t be conditional. Final night time’s disruption and the reasoning behind it illustrate the issue we face and have repeatedly needed to cope with.
‘This isn’t meant to deflect from different points that have an effect on the membership and are absolutely recognised. Nevertheless, the potential of additional disruptions must be addressed urgently.
‘Absolutely the precedence should be to offer Martin and the gamers each targets inside the the rest of the season.
Supporters protesting in opposition to the board has change into the central theme of Celtic’s season
‘On that foundation, I’ll proceed to hunt an finish to this debilitating and pointless environment of battle.’
O’Neill had intimated on Wednesday that there had been some progress within the discussions Wilson was having, however the supervisor subsequently admitted he wasn’t sure if a decision was in sight.
‘I genuinely don’t know,’ he added. ‘I do know that we’re attempting, severely. Brian Wilson has acquired the membership at coronary heart. He’s a very good speaker, he’s a fair-minded man on the finish of all of it. We thought that we would have been making a little bit of progress. Tonight (Thursday) could be one thing separate. Once more, I don’t know. However all I’m saying is {that a} disruption actually doesn’t assist.’
Celtic now want a miracle in subsequent Thursday’s return leg in Germany, with many questioning if beating sides like Stuttgart might now be a factor of the previous for Celtic.
‘Properly, I’m hoping it’s not,’ stated O’Neill. ‘I used to be attempting to make the purpose about what you’re competing in opposition to. The cash has modified the sport. There’s not the cash within the SPFL. No staff right here can purchase a participant for £30million. We will’t do it, Rangers can’t do it, Hearts can’t do it. Not one of the sides can do this.
O’Neill refused to be drawn on whether or not he would stick to gaffe-prone keeper Schmeichel
‘It doesn’t imply you possibly can’t compete. You’d wish to be going deep into European competitions however it’s onerous.’
O’Neill is getting ready to unleash Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in opposition to Hibs. The midfielder has solely made substitute appearances in opposition to Livingston and Kilmarnock since becoming a member of as a free agent. However O’Neill revealed: ‘He’s had every week of coaching now. That may assist him immensely.
‘He’s a great participant so I feel he’s acquired each likelihood of coming into this facet on Sunday. He’s additionally a participant that may raise these guys as effectively, by way of his efficiency.
O’Neill hasn’t but determined whether or not to stay with Kasper Schmeichel in purpose after he misplaced two tender objectives in midweek. ‘That is for an additional day,’ he stated.
