Martin O’Neill: appetite for further success whetted

MARTIN O’NEILL claimed yesterday Celtic have made just as much money from their thrilling UEFA Cup run as they would have done in the Champions League.

And the ambitious manager revealed he will sit down with his directors and tell them they will need to splash that cash if they are to have more European glory nights.

Liverpool are favourites to go on to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup after a 1-1 draw at Parkhead, but the occasion has whetted O'Neill's appetite for success even further.

While he believes it will take time to assemble a squad of Gerard Houllier's strength and quality, he insists it is something the board should aspire to.

O'Neill enthused: "I'm delighted after the disappointment of Basle," he said. "And the disappointment for

me was not participating

in the Champions League

from a footballing view point.

"Suddenly people said that

£10 million had disappeared because we'd had it the previous year, but we shouldn't be budgeted for money we don't get and nobody here does that.

"It was a disappointment we didn't get through, but we have more than made up for it since that game in financial terms.

"The Liverpool game outside the Champions League final here was as a bigger money-spinner as there has ever been in Scotland and so we have done very, very well financially.

"We have clawed all that money back with the efforts of the players and the supporters who have paid a lot of money, and TV who thought it was worthwhile to cover.

"I'm delighted with our position now as we stand and I'm sure I will sit down with the board in the next month or so and have real proper discussions about it."

Celtic lost Alan Thompson to a groin injury in the Liverpool game and, with the absence of Didier Agathe, the Parkhead squad is looking a little exposed.

For O'Neill, however, it is a price worth paying.

"This is where we want to be, playing in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals and the Champions League.

" added the former Leicester boss.

"Nights like last night are what your are in the game for.

"It has come at a bit of a cost and when you get a couple of injuries you have to have not just sufficient cover, but really top-class cover.

"Liverpool have some world-class players in Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen. It will take some time to get there, but it shouldn't prevent us from trying. I would imagine the board feel the same. I have not spoken to any of the directors in the immediate aftermath about that particular point.

"The occasion before a ball was even kicked was marvellous. If you want that then you have to do something about it and we would need a bigger and stronger squad." O'Neill revealed his players felt disappointed not to have put Liverpool under more pressure but he is confident his side can score goals at Anfield next Thursday. "We are capable of scoring there whether we have to score twice or three times I don't know but we're capable of scoring and taking the game to Liverpool."

Attentions can now switch to tomorrow's Sunday's CIS Insurance Cup final against Rangers at Hampden Park but O'Neill confesses that his players have had no time to prepare for it.

He said: "It's a strange feeling because it's the first time ever I have been involved in a cup final that we haven't had a week to prepare for.

"We've had no time to think about the cup final. Our minds are on it now, but we've had no time to prepare physically, mentally and tactically because of the importance of the game in midweek. But it's the first trophy of the season and you want to win it.

"Defeat won't be okay and there will be disappointment there that might take some time to go away.

"By tomorrow we should have our minds totally fixed on this cup final and I'm sure because it's Rangers the players can turn their attention to that game."