Mjallby has taste for silverware

Johan Mjallby’s last-gasp winner against Hibernian kept Celtic’s title hopes alive – now he wants to win the four trophies they remain involved in.

The Hoops defender nodded home in injury time – after two goals from Tom McManus had cancelled out John Hartson’s double – to prevent Rangers extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

Celtic now embark on a crucial month which could decide their fate in the league, UEFA Cup, Scottish Cup and the CIS Insurance Cup, and Mjallby admits he would love to win the lot come the end of the season.

He said: “The next four games are unbelievable and they are really crucial for us.

“We have to take it one game at a time but if we do that, and are successful, then this might be a really great season for us.

“As a Celtic player, we have to think that we are good enough to win silverware and the games coming up will be crucial for us.

“I want to win everything – it doesn’t matter what competition you play in, you want to win every game and that’s no secret.

“We don’t have a crystal ball but hopefully at the end of the season we will have won something.”

Celtic face Rangers twice – in the league and the CIS Insurance Cup final - before their crucial UEFA Cup quarter-final ties against Liverpool.

And Mjallby admits the mood in the Celtic dressing room ahead of Saturday’s Old Firm showdown would have been very different if they had failed to take a win into that game.

He added: “If we had drawn against Hibs, it would certainly have been harder for us, although it’s hard to tell right now if my goal will have an impact on the championship race.

“We need some good results between now and the end of the season to win the championship but it is easier to be six points behind than eight.

“It is always easier to go into an Old Firm game on the back of a win.

“After the Stuttgart game the confidence is sky high anyway but it’s nicer to have a win and know that they are only six points ahead and we have a game in hand.”

Martin O’Neill described Mjallby as being “remotely nowhere near fully fit” after watching his performance against Hibs and the defender – who has been sidelined for most of the season through injury – had to agree with the Hoops boss.

But he is determined to prove to O’Neill that he can boost his fitness enough to take part in the double-header against Liverpool, if not Saturday’s clash with Rangers.

He said: “I know that I’m not there yet to be fair but I’ve been working hard in training and I’m determined to get back to my best.

“That might take some time but I hope to be there soon and the only way to do that is to work hard in training.

“I’m not there yet – it hasn’t been the best season for me and there have been too many niggling injuries – but I just have to look forward and work hard.

“You’re always ready if the manager asks you and I have six days to work in training – if I don’t play against Rangers then hopefully against Liverpool.”