O’Neill could face lengthy touchline exile

MARTIN O’NEILL is certain to be on the touchline for the return leg against Celta Vigo - and he will wait for the referee’s report before deciding what action to take.

The Celtic manager was sent to the stand by farcical French referee Claude Colombo in the late stage of Thursday night’s 1-0 UEFA Cup third round victory at Parkhead.

The typically-animated Northern Irishman is now looking at a lengthy touchline exile, following his sending off in Turin last season which earned him a one-match ban.

But O’Neill was still baffled yesterday as to why he was dismissed even after watching a video of the match when he got home late last night.

And the Celtic boss has revealed that he will wait anxiously for what the official has to say before deciding whether to make an appeal.

‘‘I’d prefer not to say anything and wait on the referee’s report,’’ O’Neill said. ‘‘I watched it back and I’m not so sure what the dismissal was for.

‘‘Apparently it doesn’t necessarily mean automatically that if you are sent off you are immediately banned again.

‘‘I’m not sure about that at the minute and I’ll have to wait and see what the official says in the referee’s report. Then I will act accordingly.

‘‘I know plenty was said about it in the heat of the moment and I might as well just leave it at that.

‘‘I am delighted we have won the game for a start and hopefully I can now put that to history.’’

The referee made some astonishing decisions during the 90 minutes and O’Neill accused him of trying to make a name for himself after over-ruling his linesmen on many occasions.

But UEFA defended the Frenchman yesterday and revealed that they would look at the incident when they convene on December 17 before taking action - which is five days after the second leg.

A spokesperson said: ‘‘Claude Colombo has been a UEFA referee since 1995 and has a good track record.

‘‘What will happen is that the disciplinary department will wait until they receive a report from the UEFA delegate and the referee.

‘‘Once they receive that report then they will decide what action to take and that should normally be discussed at the disciplinary committee meeting on December 17. There will not be, however, an automatic touchline ban.’’

Celta Vigo coach Miguel Angel Lotina could also have got under O’Neill’s skin with some disparaging remarks made about his team.