O'Neill springs surprise

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill sprung a surprise before his side’s Champions League qualifying round second leg tie with FC Basle at the St Jakob Stadium tonight.

O’Neill appears to have reverted to four at the back. Despite playing in the weekend victory at Partick, Didier Agathe dropped out along with Jackie McNamara and Steve Guppy with Johan Mjallby, Momo Sylla and Stilian Petrov coming into the side.

O’Neill made his decision on the back of Basle’s impressive display in Glasgow and despite defeats and riots following that result the Swiss champions, they were expected to throw everything at their opponents early on

Success tonight against the Swiss champions is paramount for Celtic if they are to enjoy the cash bonanza which will come their way if they join Manchester United in the group stages for the second consecutive year.

And having won the first leg at Parkhead 3-1 they were already within touching distance of joining Europe’s elite.

Confidence was also high having won every one of their opening games to the new season and sitting proudly on top of the Scottish Premier League with victory over Partick on Saturday.