Publish-match in Lisbon on Thursday, Martin O’Neill expressed the feelings of a person who had simply watched his workforce cruise to a 4-1 triumph.
However the 74-year-old had simply witnessed his facet endure a reverse of that, a fourth defeat in 5 video games.
The rationale for the veteran supervisor’s upbeat vibe was due to his gamers’ response after crumbling within the first half of their Europa League loss to Benfica.
The efficiency degree from the Scottish champions improved they usually may have scored greater than the one aim they managed within the second interval, although they have been additionally lucky to not have shipped extra.
Like final time period, unrest between the followers and board is within the backdrop, however those self same supporters are additionally rising stressed at what they’re watching on the pitch.
Regardless of that, Celtic have nonetheless received 14 of their previous 15 league video games, scoring two or extra objectives in 11 of these. They usually can go 4 level clear with a win on Sunday after Rangers drew at Dundee.
They’ve additionally received 26 of their previous 29 house league video games in opposition to Hearts, though have misplaced two of their final six.
Final time period, Hearts picked up seven factors in 4 league video games in opposition to Celtic – probably the most by any non-Outdated Agency facet in a single marketing campaign because the 1999-00 season.
O’Neill believes Hearts are real contenders once more and is anticipating a match that might be as difficult as Might’s dramatic title decider.
“I feel it is going to be each bit as robust because it was on the final day of final season,” the Celtic boss stated.
“I genuinely do [think they are title challengers]. I do know they’ve misplaced two [league] video games, however total, I do, I feel they will problem.”