Martin O’Neill has praised his new defensive recruit after Celtic overcame Aberdeen 2-1 in the Premiership – as he also delivered an injury update on another Hoops star.
This was the Parkhead outfit’s game in hand and they made the most of it, with goals from Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren enough to secure all three points after Kevin Nisbet’s penalty had drawn things level at Pittodrie.
The victory lifts them into second place and above Rangers, five points behind leaders Hearts, ahead of their upcoming Old Firm derby at Ibrox this Sunday in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
O’Neill had no objections to the penalty given against Liam Scales for a challenge on Toyosi Olusanya and also believed Aberdeen defender Jack Milne escaped punishment for a handball inside the Dons penalty area. Ultimately, though, the only thing that mattered was Celtic walking away with the points.
Speaking on Sportsound, O’Neill said: “It was a tough evening, which I expected anyway, and we certainly got that. it was nice to come through and win the game. You know, we scored early on in proceedings. I felt as if we should have just asserted a bit more superiority. Allowed Aberdeen into the game, they get a penalty. Then you’re forced in the second half to try and conjure something, which we did.
“We eventually scored the goal to win 2-1. We could have scored a couple towards the end as well, too. It would have been nice if that was the case. It wasn’t to be but we showed the old resilience to fight it out right to the end. I think just after we’ve scored, that was the time then to really, really put a lot of pressure on.
What is the Celtic injury latest?
“It’s another big game for us (vs Rangers). This was our third game in six days. This time last week I was actually doing interviews at Stuttgart the day before we played the game (in the Europa League) So they’re coming thick and fast. This will be our fourth away trip as well too. A big, big clash against Rangers, it always is.”
Benjamin Arthur was handed his first start at centre-back after arriving on loan from Brentford on the final day of the winter transfer window. His place in the starting XI came after Dane Murray picked up a problem in the warm-up, with Celtic already dealing with injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Arne Engels, Jota and others.
O’Neill said on Murray’s injury and Arthur’s display: “Big Ben came in, just when Dane had to pull out with a thigh strain, I thought he did fine as well too. Just trying to get used to it. No matter what you say, these games here, they’re tough games. They’re tough and if you think you’re going to come and have an easy time, then you certainly have a second, or you would have second thoughts about that. It was a terrific goal to win the match.”
The manager added on Sky: “It’s a shame for big Dane who was doing well in the last couple of games. We will see where we are, if the next question was the state of the injuries, I don’t know yet.”