We'll cope with O'Neill absence - Hedman

Magnus Hedman declared tonight that his team-mates will not miss manager Martin O’Neill’s presence in the dug-out for their UEFA Cup clash with Stuttgart at Parkhead on February 20.

The animated Northern Irishman had his two-match touchline ban halved by European football's governing body this evening, but it still means he will miss the opening fourth-round tie.

Celtic never allowed O'Neill's touchline ban to affect them last year when they beat FC Porto at Parkhead in the Champions League and the Swedish international goalkeeper believes the players will once again respond on the pitch in a business-like fashion.

"It is obviously very important to have the manager around and you feel that he's close," said Hedman. "

"He still misses a game and that’s something we will have to deal with.

"He's the manager of the club and everybody looks up to him and respects him here, but we also respect John Robertson and Steve Walford.

"We also have a lot of great players here and a lot of characters here in the team and we will be able to cope with him not being there in the dug-out for the first game.

"You don’t really hear too much from him during the match, but he is still able to send out messages.

"You also see a lot of managers spending a lot of the time in the stand and then coming down for the second half so with the characters we’ve got in the team we’ll be able to cope."

ONeill is not too concerned either and has voiced his approval at UEFA's surprise decision to halve his two-match touchline ban.

The Irishman was initially hit with the punishment after being sent to the stand by French referee Claude Colombo during the UEFA Cup clash with Celta Vigo at Parkhead.

But despite the prospect of having to watch the first leg against Stuttgart from the Parkhead stand and having to pay a fine of €6,820 (£4,510), the Celtic boss was overjoyed by the decision.

"We are all delighted about the decision," said O’Neill.

"I thought I got a fair hearing and I am very pleased. The reason I appealed against the ban was because I wanted the opportunity to state my case in person and I’m satisfied with the outcome.

"Rod McKenzie (lawyer) presented my case brilliantly while Ronnie Hawthorn (safety officer) also came over to present a witness statement.

"He wasn’t called upon to do so, but nevertheless he gave up his time and I am very appreciative of that.

"I also appreciate the support I got from everyone at the club who stood by my decision to appeal.

"UEFA obviously realised that we had something to say that was worthwhile.

"As they have seen fit to amend the ban I’m pleased our voice was heard."

The reduction means O’Neill will return to the dug-out for the second leg tie with Stuttgart in Germany.

The appeals body also rejected an appeal by Celta Vigo midfielder Peter Luccin against a four-match ban for spitting at John Hartson during the second-leg encounter with Celtic on December 12.

The 23-year-old Frenchman was appealing against the decision by the UEFA control and disciplinary body, who imposed the ban last month after viewing video evidence of the incident after the referee missed it.

Celta won the match 2-1, but were eliminated from the UEFA Cup on away goals as a result of Celtic’s single-goal win in the first leg.