Celts wary of 'superhuman' Motherwell effort

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has warned his players to be wary of another “superhuman” effort from Motherwell at Parkhead.

The struggling Lanarkshire outfit are the only team to beat the Scottish champions domestically this season, winning 2-1 at Fir Park back in September.

Amazingly that was the last time that Motherwell have won a game in the Scottish Premier League as they have plummeted to the foot of the table.

But the Celtic boss believes the occasion will once bring out the best in the visitors and he will instruct his stars to be on their guard.

O’Neill said: “I saw Terry Butcher say that his side had lost all their luck against Celtic and that particular night we should have won the game.

“Motherwell played very strongly which is probably going to be their best performance all season.

“But they will certainly be up for it again and they showed that in the first 20 minutes of the game when they chased all over the place and put in an incredible effort against us.

“Results since have not been so good, but I expect another superhuman effort from them on Sunday and we have got to be aware of it.”

O’Neill does admit that European endeavours do take their toll on his players and he is promising to make changes.

Top-of-the-table Celtic are on a high after their midweek UEFA Cup win over Celta Vigo, but the Celtic boss is promising the likes of David Fernandez the chance of some needed action.

“The games in Europe against the calibre of team we faced are physically and mentally very demanding,” conceded O’Neill.

“You don’t realise until a couple of days later what it has taken out of the team so that’s why we need the squad.

“I will change things because there are plenty of tough games and if we look at the schedule we will play four games in eight days.

“And even then we wouldn’t even have completed the next leg against Celta Vigo which is going to be exceptionally hard.

“It is an opportunity for the players who are crying out for them. David Fernandez is a good talent to come in and I hope these players will be able to take that chance.

“I want these players to get match fitness which is a basic problem that’s a bit of a concern, but there’s an opportunity over the next couple of weeks.”