Celtic to appeal against O’Neill touchline ban
European football's governing body hit him with the news he had been dreading after he was sent to the stand by French referee Claude Colombo against Celta Vigo last week.
But Hoops chief executive Ian McLeod has jumped to the defence of his manager by announcing that he would be launching an appeal against the "unreasonable" punishment.
"We believe that the punishment does not fit the supposed crime and that the decision of UEFA's disciplinary committee against Martin O'Neill is both draconian and unreasonable. We will definitely be appealing," he said.
His dismissal means he will be absent from the dugout for the second leg in Spain on Thursday when the UEFA Cup third-round tie is decided.
UEFA's control and disciplinary committee made the ruling yesterday and Celtic have until midnight on Sunday, December 8 to formally appeal.
It is the animated Celtic manager's second run-in with UEFA having been sent to the stand following the Hoops' controversial defeat to Juventus in Turin last year.
O'Neill had called for European football's governing body to use common sense when dealing with the incident, but it appears he has paid a harsh price.
Meanwhile, Former Celtic striker Frank McGarvey claims Henrik Larsson is irreplaceable but he believes the club should cash in on him at the end of the season.
His 26 goals in all competitions proves his value, but McGarvey feels that the Celtic boss should sell him next summer or get nothing at the end of next season.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Celtic took the money during the summer. I know the fans would be in uproar, but at the end of the day Celtic are a business."
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