O'Neill's message to Celtic fans ahead of two crucial clashes

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill <i>(Image: Stuart Wallace / Shutterstock)</i>
Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill (Image: Stuart Wallace / Shutterstock)
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Martin O'Neill has told Celtic supporters they can be a powerful tool for his team ahead of two massive games this week.

O'Neill's side travel to Motherwell tomorrow night knowing they need to avoid defeat to ensure Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Hearts will be a title decider.

Having clicked into top gear in recent weeks, that upturn in performance has coincided with ultras group the Green Brigade being allowed back into games after a ban.

And the interim boss admits unity has been so important, and can continue to be.

He said: "Well, it is at this minute, absolutely. Who knows whether it's just respite or whatever the case may be. I just don't know.



"What I do feel is that the crowd have been really, really big. I know I said this to you before, when the crowd have been different, let's put it that way, to begin with, and throwing things onto the pitch, I thought it wasn't really affecting players.

"I think that the game against Stuttgart, when things were thrown on, I didn't think that helped anybody.

"I think it's a combination of us winning some football matches, trying to get together, and some sort of accord between the board and the fans. I think all combinations of those things have been terrific, really terrific.

"Again, I say that Sunday's game really did bring me back. It was really great against the Rangers. At least I didn't lose that game, which is nice.

"But I say I lose the games. I've got a team, really. I'm essentially, quote Brian Clough's phrase once, when he was talking about Peter Taylor, and he said that he, Clough, was the shop window, and Taylor was the goods at the back. I feel this about the coaches."

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