O’Neill fears for Bhoys’ Champions League hopes
The Scottish champions crashed to a 3-1 defeat at home to Barcelona on Tuesday night to leave them joint- bottom of Group F after one game.
It is not unusual for Celtic to start their group campaign with defeat. They experienced it against Bayern Munich last season and Juventus two seasons before that.
But the challenge is even more daunting as they must travel to the San Siro to face 2003 Champions League winners AC Milan on September 29.
O’Neill showed the magnitude of Celtic’s task when he half-joked: “We have taken on one of the best sides in European football and got beaten so all we have to do is go and win in Milan. AC Milan won in the Ukraine so this group is even tougher now.”
After that they face the so-called weakest side in the group before the sides meet again in Glasgow at the start of November.
But O’Neill fears that by then they could be fighting it out for little more than third place in Group F and a place in the UEFA Cup.
He said: “We have a fair idea about the number of points needed to try to get through.
“That’s three points gone for a start but we have played in groups before and started off both times and lost opening fixtures.
“On this occasion we have been beaten and our next two games are away from home and we have got to have points on the board before coming back here.”
But O’Neill feels if they can avoid defeats in Italy and Eastern Europe, the atmosphere at Parkhead could spur them to the knock-out stages.
“When the crowd is up like that it is a great evening,” he said. “I have never experienced anything like this in Europe and the team responds.”
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard believes the atmosphere could unsettle their next opponents if they are still in the hunt, and that Celtic can get points on their travels.
“They have a definite chance against the other teams if they manage to bring this game spirit onto the pitch,” said the Dutchman.
“Once again the crowd were like a 12th player on the pitch and the other opponents in this league will not find it an easy match against them.”
Meanwhile Celtic have been boosted by the news that Jackie McNamara should be back in action within six weeks.
The Hoops skipper was stretchered off against Barcelona. His foot appeared to catch in the turf as he tried to prevent Ludovic Giuly netting Barca’s second goal, after being set up by former Celtic star Henrik Larsson.
A scan revealed the defender suffered a twist and ligament strain.
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