Miller will ‘run’ Celtic, but not yet, says O’Neill

CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill today rounded on the critics who blamed his tactics for their Champions League defeat to Anderlecht.

They missed a golden opportunity to gain their second Group A victory on Tuesday after the Belgian side were forced to fight for 64 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Glen de Boeck.

Celtic lost all three points which prompted some fans and critics to question whether O'Neill had showed Neil Lennon too much loyalty by not replacing him with the more attacking Liam Miller earlier.

But while he expects Miller and Shaun Maloney to "run" the club in coming years, he is adamant he will continue to do things his own way and not be swayed by the views of others.

"Liam Miller is a very good player and a very good prospect, no doubt about it," said O'Neill.

"I expect the likes of Liam Miller and Shaun Maloney to be taking up the mantle and running this club.

"I don't expect Liam Miller, after about four games, to have the pressure on him to be going out and dominating games in European football.

"I have been accused of plenty of things, but being severely loyal is not one of my strong points.

"But this side have played pretty well for quite some considerable time, just enough to beat Blackburn, Celta Vigo and Liverpool so these players aren't going to give things up without a fight.

"I expect Liam to become a top-quality player in the next few seasons, but asking him to do more is incredible.

"I have incredible belief in the player, but Liam came on the field in Munich and we lost 2-1 and I didn't see myself blaming him for losing that game."

Miller's contract expires at the end of the current campaign and O'Neill is hoping he will sign a new deal soon.

"It is actually to Liam's benefit that we didn't do it some time ago," said the Northern Irishman.