Bhoy's players could be ultimate losers after Cup shocker

Celtic’s Scottish Cup humiliation could see the axe fall on players rather than the manager this time round.

In February 2000, head coach John Barnes was sacked after his side were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

After leading the team to their first European semi-final in almost 30 years, current boss Martin O’Neill will not face the same fate.

However, O’Neill made eight changes to his side for the defeat in the Highlands which will leave those hoping to make an impression sweating on their futures.

Only Spanish playmaker David Fernandez earned any praise from the manager.

Henrik Larsson, John Hartson, Neil Lennon and Joos Valgaeren, who were also on duty, will be influential in the last few months of the season.

But now, with just the UEFA Cup and the Scottish Premier League title to play for, O’Neill will begin his inquest into the aftermath of the game.

Goalkeeper Javier Sanchez Broto and defender Stanislav Varga were signed until the summer with a view to longer-term deals.

But both are unlikely to play in the starting 11 again until the end of the campaign and could now be shown the door.

O’Neill will be looking to boost his squad in the summer, but there must also be question marks against Steve Guppy, Ulrik Laursen and Jackie McNamara staying.

It is harsh to point the finger at youngsters such as Jamie Smith and Shaun Maloney, but they are now at the age where they must be showing signs of making a step up in class and relishing the chance to impress against the likes of a Scottish First Division side.

O’Neill has already shouldered the blame for the defeat himself, but his thoughts will now turn to the players who disappointed at Inverness.

“It’s totally and absolutely my responsibility – no doubt about it,” conceded O’Neill.

“It was a superb all-round performance from them in midweek, but this is my responsibility totally and always will be.”

The 2000 debacle cost Barnes his job and that fateful night gave birth to the now-famous headline “Super Caley Go Ballistic Celtic Are Atrocious”, but the current Celtic boss jumped on the defensive after the class of 2003 disastrously fell in the Highlands.

O’Neill denied he felt humiliated, but insisted the club had come a long way since those troubled times under Barnes and Kenny Dalglish.

“I don’t think I am (humiliated),” snapped O’Neill. “Since the last time the club has come a reasonable distance.

“I don’t like losing any particular game in the CIS Insurance Cup or Scottish Cup as I didn’t like losing in the recent final.

“I have never liked losing and never will so this is a massive disappointment.”