O’Neill back in dug-out for UEFA Cup tie

Ian Rodgers

European football’s governing body UEFA have agreed to hear O’Neill’s appeal against a two-game ban after his dismissal by French referee Claude Columbo in the first leg at Parkhead at the start of next year. The decision means O’Neill’s punishment will be suspended until the appeal is heard, leaving him free to stand on the touchline in Spain.

A UEFA spokesman said: “The appeal over Martin O’Neill will be held at the start of next year. O’Neill will now be allowed to sit on the bench for the UEFA Cup tie at Celta Vigo on Thursday.” The news offers some light relief for O’Neill after recent problems. The Hoops were beaten 3-2 by Rangers in a crucial Scottish Premier League game at the weekend before the former Leicester manager lambasted a BBC reporter for questioning his team selection at Ibrox.

Meanwhile, former star Frank McGarvey has tipped O’Neill to end Celtic’s Spanish jinx and lead them into Europe beyond Christmas for the first time in 23 years. The Scottish champions have never knocked out a Spanish team, but the former Parkhead striker believes that run is about to come to an end. Celtic take a 1-0 lead to Spain for the second leg. McGarvey has himself suffered at the hands of Spaniards when Celtic crashed out of the European Cup to Real Madrid in 1980 after winning the first leg at Parkhead.

He was also part of the side which lost 3-2 on aggregate in the European Cup to Real Sociedad in 1982, but he is confident they can lay that ghost to rest this time. “They will go through because to win the home game without losing any goals is a big result,” he said.