Martin O’Neill’s winning goal on his return came against Bologna away to Bologna, but no Celtic fan will be disappointed by the 2-2 draw in Italy. This was a great performance and spoke volumes about the spirit of the team.
Auchinleck-Talbot and Bologna were different. But O’Neill, who arrived in Italy having scored seven goals without a hitch in his ‘third coming’ as Celtic manager, watched his side add an eighth and then a ninth with 10 men before the rearguard attack began.
Although they were not able to secure a victory, they still received cheers from their supporters during the trip. This point keeps their hopes of progressing to the Europa League alive. That might give us even more confidence that O’Neal can continue this team’s remarkable transformation.
Celtic have won 10 of 12 games under him over the last two seasons, the same number as they have won twice as many games under any other manager this season. Their European campaign came to life. The title fight has resumed.
He still claims he doesn’t enjoy watching games. “I’ve never done this since I became a manager,” but he has built a heartwarming bond with the players. That was in his last retirement speech, when he talked about how he felt as a 23-year-old, not a 73-year-old.
Deep inside the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, he expressed similar sentiments. “I love being with young people.” The good news is that they seem to feel the same way. How else to explain how much effort they put into sticking to this precious point?
Celtic’s flag bearer was sent off in the first half with Bologna leading 1-0.
Auston Trusty praised the interception with as much passion as the improbable goal on the other side of the field. Liam Scales threw himself in front of the shot as if he were having fun. Callum McGregor tracked back for a desperate challenge. 12 blocked shots.
Daizen Maeda continued his efforts relentlessly. Kieran Tierney headed one cross after another for the visitors. Teenage defenseman Colby Donovan more than justified his addition. But it was Trusty who had a particularly extraordinary performance.
Auston Trusty’s touch map during Celtic’s 2-2 draw with Bologna in the Europa League
He alone achieved 17 clears. “He embodied the team spirit. It was tremendous.” The partnership behind it provides something to build on. “He and Scales have been really great as a defensive duo while I’ve been here.”
And that, I think, goes to the very heart of all this, what makes Celtic’s dramatic improvement in results so fascinating. O’Neal’s return came after an earlier struggle in which he lost six of eight games. The scales were falling off.
Wilfried Nancy was a coach widely admired for his intelligence and fresh tactical theory. His name was being whispered across the right as a positive option that could take Celtic forward. Things didn’t work out that way for him in Glasgow.
There were bold plans, ball-playing defenders and high-line dreams. But without a preseason to make it work, the game seemed like it would only get in the way. As Mike Tyson never made clear, everyone has a plan until they lose to St Mirren in the cup final.
As a result, Celtic’s season has started to feel like a parable about the dangers of overcoaching. They looked for someone new, but found someone old. The past has become the future. The key to this revival is not Nancy’s innovation, but O’Neill’s clarity.
Simplicity can be the most elegant of all ideas when coaches share their experience. The uncertainty that consumed Nancy disappeared. Instructions are helpful rather than intrusive. effort and resilience. If O’Neill draws a Venn diagram.
Celtic’s Europa League hopes remain alive after memorable night in Bologna
James Forrest talks about Aura and Luke McCowan talks about Standard. It may seem unfair to coaches trying to improve their reputations, but some coaches’ words carry more weight than others. The challenge for Celtic legend O’Neill was to use his influence in a positive way.
In doing so, he injected this team with a sense of belief that had been lost. “Everyone has a lot of confidence now,” says Arne Engels. “I think it’s really good to stick to the basics again and do what we’re good at, and you’ll see everything follow.”
Martin O’Neill and Sean Maloney will remain Celtic managers until the end of the season
Many Celtic supporters were unconvinced that these players were capable of playing the kind of football they showed in the opening game against Bologna, and despite being just one point adrift of the leaders in Serie A in late November, they took the game to a side that was in poor form.
“We dressed well and played well,” was O’Neal’s verdict when the game was down by 11 points. “My own opinion is that if we had stayed with 11 men, we would have won the game.” But the fact that they were once reduced to 10 men further illustrated O’Neill’s influence.
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“The results clearly dictate whether there is a feel-good factor or not,” he said in an explanation. “It’s very hard to get that spirit when you lose a football game. But we fought bravely tonight and I don’t think we would have gotten through this game without that spirit.”
Of course he’s right. Celtic are now showing far more determination. Hearts will need more of that on Sunday, especially after these efforts. “I just have to recover as best I can,” O’Neill said, later adding, “That’s all I can think about on the way home.”
At first glance, the result of this game is that Celtic put a lot of effort into the game, making that consideration even more difficult. But the supporters who are here to witness it will go home brave, and no doubt the players will as well. Pride is restored and momentum is building.
