O’Neill under no pressure for Euro jackpot

CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill yesterday denied the financial consequences of missing out on a place in the money-spinning Champions League group stages were weighing heavy on his mind.

Parkhead chiefs must have been rubbing their hands following their 3-1 victory over FC Basle a fortnight ago which has given them a glorious chance of joining Europe’s elite for the second time.

But the Celtic boss claimed he was under no extra pressure, pointing to the fact that they have not had the revenue coming in from the Champions League for years before his arrival.

‘‘It doesn’t concern me - I won’t be getting a lot of it anyway,’’ joked O’Neill. ‘‘The financial implications are there for others to worry about.

‘‘It’s not only us that have a lot riding on these games. The Champions League qualifier also has financial implications for Basle as well.

‘‘I do know what it means for the football club to get through, but Celtic have lived without this money for quite some time and you have to be cynical and say they might have to do without it again.

‘‘The implications are massive and the game is very important. I wouldn’t try and diminish that it is very important for the football club, but all that concerns me is this team.’’

O’Neill looked calm as he faced the press yesterday afternoon - but he declared that tonights clash was ‘‘still in the balance’’.

Despite his words, however, he has ruled out the possibility of his side trying to protect their cushion and instead promised an all-out attack in the St Jakob Stadium.

‘‘We are optimistic,’’ revealed O’Neill. ‘‘But we are not fool-hardy and know how difficult it is going to be.

‘‘Basle didn’t have to come to Celtic to prove a point. I watched them a couple of weeks earlier and they played very well indeed.

‘‘This is a difficult game and we know that. My sentiments are no different than after the first leg.

‘‘The game’s still in the balance, but we will be doing absolutely everything to get through.

‘‘We have to get through and try to score a goal just like the Basle team did at our ground. I think we will score. We are definitely capable of doing that.’’

A goal for the Scottish Premier League champions and current leaders would leave Christian Gross’ men needing to score at least three goals to take their place in the group stages.

But the former Leicester City boss was adamant that even if his side scored it would not necessarily mean the tie was dead.

‘‘They proved at Parkhead that they are a very dangerous side and even if we scored they would still be capable of scoring the goals,’’ he insisted.

A first-minute goal from Christian Gimenez stunned Celtic in Glasgow and O’Neill feels that just proves last season’s Champions League experience does not give them an advantage.

‘‘I don’t think there’s any difference,’’ he continued. ‘‘If we had all the experience of last year we might not have conceded in the first minute against them at Parkhead.’’

But O’Neill is delighted to have influential winger Didier Agathe back after recovering from groin and hamstring problems.

The Frenchman returned to action in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Partick Thistle, but the Celtic boss will have no worries about letting him loose on Basle despite lacking match fitness.

O’Neill said: ‘‘He played the game on Saturday and he is a naturally fit lad.

‘‘He would have probably preferred to play more games before tomorrow, but that’s not the case.

‘‘But one game is enough. He has come back quickly from injuries before and not looked hindered at all.’’