Celtic head coach Martin O’Neill has criticised the club’s supporters for their lack of atmosphere in last night’s Europa League fixture against Stuttgart at Parkhead. The 73-year-old, back for his second stint in charge of the Glaswegian club, delivered stern words at the post-match press conference.
O’Neill, who coached the Bhoys for five years at the turn of the current century, made it clear that he didn’t particularly care for the fan protests against the current club ownership just prior to kickoff. While O’Neill took direct responsibility for the team’s poor performance during his post-match interview with TNT Sports, a rant at the press conference took direct aim at Celtic fans for throwing toy balls onto the pitch just after kickoff.
“Anyone who thinks this is a good idea should have their head examined,” O’Neill said of the protests at the press conference. “There’s no question about it. It sends completely the wrong message. We’re playing against Stuttgart. The game is hard enough as it is.”
O’Neill continued, “The problem is that a few years ago, this place was incredibly intimidating. I was there when teams like Juventus were afraid to come here. When top teams were afraid. That kind of thing is not helpful at all.”
He concluded, “A team like Stuttgart comes to this wonderful club to find us in the midst of internal disputes and objects on the field. If I were a Stuttgart player, I would feel pretty comfortable in such an environment. O’Neill’s comments highlight the frustration and disappointment felt by the Celtic management team, who are struggling to navigate the ongoing issues within the club.
The protests, which were organised by the Green Brigade ultras group, were in response to the club’s decision to suspend several supporters following an incident during a Premiership match against Falkirk. The Green Brigade have been protesting against the club’s ownership and management, calling for greater transparency and accountability.
O’Neill’s comments will likely add to the ongoing debate about the role of supporters in the running of the club, and the impact of protests on the team’s performance. The Celtic boss is clearly frustrated with the situation, and his comments will likely be seen as a call to arms for the club’s supporters to rally behind the team.