Celtic’s unlikely goalscorer as durable as they come says Martin O’Neill

After that extra-time goal-burst at Hampden the manager expects confidence will be high going into the match against Falkirk on the late-Saturday afternoon kick-off.

“How confident am I? Confidence should be high with the team, particularly after the four goal salvo against St Mirren in the semi-final just last week. That should give any team a major boost of confidence, to know that .. well, it was like a throwback, almost like vintage Celtic.

“Like throwing away the shackles, just playing with confidence and going for it. Confidence comes from getting a goal,” Martin O’Neill said.

“In terms of preparation, we’re ready for it. Honestly, it’s genuinely just a game at a time. It’s genuinely that. Falkirk caused us plenty of problems in the past and I’m sure it will be the same again. They’ll be suffering disappointment from losing their semi-final. But regardless, it’s a tough game,” O’Neill admitted.

The Celtic boss talked about the impact that the Celtic support made in both matches against St Mirren over the past ten days and is looking for more of the same this weekend against Falkirk.

“We need the crowd. They were great in the last game. We have to try and win,” Martin O’Neill noted. “It is a re-set now. We can park a cup final to the side and that’s really nice, it’s really nice to get there. But we’re there and now it’s about concentrating on this first game.

“There’s no room for us to make mistakes. Wee bit for the other sides perhaps, but not for us.”

The Celtic manager, ahead of today’s news that James Forrest has signed a new one-year contract this morning, talked about the dilemma he faces in starting both James Forrest and Kelechi Iheanacho, with historical hamstring concerns for both players a concern. Why note ruling out starting either the cautious or perhaps crafty Celtic manager, may well be thinking that this double act could be better deployed from the bench in these remaining five league matches.

On James Forrest, Martin O’Neill said: “James is 34 years of age now. He’s made a big, big impact with coming on in games. And that is difficult. He has made big in-roads in matches.

“He makes a goal from a one v one situation which I absolutely love. I played with wingers…Didier Agathe, Alan Thompson, Steve Guppy…essentially these boys can deliver. James Forrest has been a very good player and one v ones, even at 34, he retains that little bit of zip.

“James, I suppose, is been crying out to start matches. But naturally, I’d be concerned…he’s had a bit of hamstring problems in the past and you don’t want to do that. But of course it’s in my mind lots of times about starting him in games.”

Martin has been busy reminding Kelechi Iheanacho of how good a player he has been in his career as he tries to coax those standards back for the remaining six matches of this season. It certainly looks like it might work after watching him in extra-time at Hampden.

“There’s been a new surge here with Kelechi. Almost challenging him to be the player you know he has been. He has fantastic ability. He has also had a few problems. When I arrived he was on the treatment table,” O’Neill noted.

“I leave, then I think Wilfried played him in the League Cup final, injures himself and he’s out for a period of time. So you do get concerned.”

Both Benjamin Nygren and Anthony Ralston were praised, with the Sweden international star reaching 20 goals for his debut season on Sunday. However the gaffer wants more in his overall game and states that will be a work in progress.

On Nygren Martin said: “A goalscoring midfield player is worth their weight in gold. Benji scores goals and I want him to tidy up parts of his game. But when there’s a chance to be taken Benji’s usually there pretty well close.”

On Anthony Ralston, who Gerry McCulloch reckons was many Celtic’s fans’ MOTM on Sunday the veteran Celtic boss was full of praise. “I thought it was Tony’s best game in my time. He’ll give you everything on the pitch. He’s made a career here out of being as durable as they come,” Martin O’Neill said as he praised The Brickie.