Celtic manager Martin O’Neill discusses the Green Brigade’s return to Parkhead during the team’s 1-0 victory over St Mirren. The narrow win, secured by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 15th-minute goal, keeps Celtic pressing Hearts at the top of the table and temporarily moves them ahead of Rangers before their upcoming match against Falkirk.
Green Brigade Welcomed Back
The fan group, absent for five months following an initial six-game ban in early November that was extended in December, reappeared at Celtic Park for the St Mirren clash. O’Neill praises the supporters for creating a vibrant atmosphere despite the team’s subpar performance.
O’Neill stated, “I thought we didn’t play very well. I thought the energy levels looked low. If it had been, say, the last 10 minutes of the game, you’re holding on to something, you can understand that. But no, it set in pretty early in the second half, which is a bit of a concern. We’ll try to rectify that if we can next week. Just winning is really important, but we didn’t play well.”
He added, “I thought the crowd were great to us because they could easily have got irritated with some of the things we did. We were loose in possession at times. They kept us going. A bit like against Dundee last weekend, which had a big effect on us staying in the game after Dundee had equalised. I thought they were great. If by the end of the season, we could get a few things rectified, cleared up, call it what you will. It felt like a real Celtic Park atmosphere.”
Fitness Updates on Key Players
Despite netting the decisive goal, January signing Oxlade-Chamberlain remains short of peak condition. O’Neill noted his class and international pedigree but highlighted the need for more match minutes.
“He’s won the two games, which may be important at the end, who knows,” O’Neill said. “You can see he’s got a bit of class about him. This lad played for England at the time that they had a lot of good players – they still have. It’s just a case of fitness with him. Regardless of training with Arsenal for a couple of months, which he had done, at the end of it all, you still have to play games. He’s getting fitter, which is great. I just thought he looked really tired.”
O’Neill also revealed that midfielder Callum McGregor overcame a midweek knock to feature. “Callum had a bit of a problem during the week, he wanted to play, I’m delighted that he did. And, he really didn’t feel any worse than before. So absolutely delighted that he got through as much as he did. We need him.”
Engels Returns to Action
Belgian midfielder Arne Engels made his first appearance in two months from the bench, providing stability after his £11 million transfer. O’Neill commented, “Arne did really well, gave us a bit of stability. He wasn’t making lung bursting runs but was getting himself into it. That was good considering he’d been out for so long. He is a strong lad. You can see why teams are interested in signing him, in particular the offer from Nottingham Forest just before the transfer window close.”
