O’Neill inspiration goes a long way

THE lasting impression of Celtic’s ultimately frustrated quest for a European title is not that they deserved to win, but one of surprise and admiration that they had progressed so far.

That is not to say that Martin O'Neill's side did not warrant a place in the UEFA Cup final, for they had showed against all their previous opponents that they are a team to be reckoned with.

But if you were to match Celtic's players man-for-man against all their European rivals they would appear of limited quality individually, Henrik Larsson excepted. Somehow, O'Neill manages to get them to perform both at the top of their personal abilities and as a team, to the extent that they can match Porto a very accomplished side indeed and almost beat them. It is a feat that O'Neill, with trusty aides John Robertson and Steve Walford, has accomplished at every club that he has managed. Seemingly mediocre players suddenly respond to his urgings and start playing like seasoned internationals.

That is the reason why O'Neill could now, if he so chose, have his pick of any club in the UK to manage. Indeed, he would be a natural successor to either Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United or Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, and both clubs would feel very happy that their future was in safe hands.

If Celtic had just managed to last out those final six minutes of extra-time and won the UEFA Cup, then O'Neill could have also had just about his pick of clubs in Europe. Even so, there are surely many continental sides who will have noted his progress and identified him as a man to be watched further. But there is nothing like experience for sparking improvement, and O'Neill admits Celtic's UEFA Cup voyage has given him an appetite for the European arena.

He said: "There's no doubt that this has been a totally unforgettable experience. Great, great managers, great judges of the game, will tell you that you need to have this sort of European experience before you take it on a further step, you need to be steeped in it.

"We have now had a taste of the Champions League and gone this distance, it has been very hard work, very rewarding and it's where I aspire to be." Immediately after the final, O'Neill was unable to even consider Sunday's Premier League fixtures which will decide whether Celtic make it three titles in a row or whether Rangers ensure their rivals end the season without a major trophy.

And to do him justice, after watching your team go through the wringer in the baking heat of Andalucia for 120 minutes, thoughts of Kilmarnock away can wait until another day.

Always someone to wear his heart on his sleeve, O'Neill can be forgiven for his post-match passion but he was perhaps unfair to criticise Porto for their tactics, and Celtic fans took the shine off an amazingly good-natured invasion of Seville on their part by booing the victors at the medal ceremony.

What did O'Neill really expect? Gamesmanship is part and parcel of continental football, winner takes all, and Porto's Jose Mourinho who in his way is as impressive a young manager as O'Neill put the matter into its rightful context.

Why should Porto be castigated for time-wasting and exaggerating tackles any more than Celtic players should be criticised for their bone-crunching fouls, such as the challenge by Bobo Bolde which could have ended Deco's career.