Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has blasted fans that halted their Europa League play-off match with Stuttgart on Thursday night, while also launching a staunch defence of under-pressure goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
The Hoops lost 4-1 at Celtic Park to their Bundesliga rivals on a chastening night at the office, with their hopes of reaching the next stage of the competition now all but over.
The evening got off to a turbulent start, with Celtic fans protesting by throwing balls onto the field.
Now, speaking after the contest, O’Neill has hit out at those responsible, insisting they made his side’s task even harder.
“Anybody who thinks that’s a good idea needs their head examining,” fumed the 73-year-old.
“Can you imagine being a Stuttgart player now, and you’re worried about the crowd?
“The atmosphere, to begin with, was fantastic. And then suddenly that happens.
Kasper Schmeichel endured a torrid night as Stuttgart thumped Celtic
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“One, it disrupts the game, obviously. And secondly, if I’m a Stuttgart player, I’m thinking, ‘I don’t feel too bad here.’ Don’t feel too bad, instead be intimidated by the situation. That helps no one.”
Celtic fans were also heard jeering Schmeichel throughout the contest.
The former Manchester City and Leicester goalkeeper has come under fire in recent months, with the Denmark international showing signs of regressing at the age of 39.
Stuttgart hammered Celtic in Thursday night’s Europa League clash
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At one point, Hoops supporters mockingly cheered Schmeichel after he got down low to make a save.
But O’Neill has passionately defended his goalkeeping, insisting he’s capable of bouncing back and silencing his critics.
“We played Feyenoord in a game that we probably had to win, and I think it was 1-1 at the time, and he made an unbelievable save,” he stated.
“Without that, we probably wouldn’t be here.
“This is a team game, and we all have to deal with it.
O’Neill added: “You’re asking me a question here on Thursday night. Who knows what might happen at the end of it all?
Martin O’Neill admits Scottish football needs rescuing after Celtic’s Europa League drubbing
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“All I will say is Kasper Schmeichel has played so many games, he’s had some dips in his time, and he’s come right back.
“Kasper Schmeichel has done exceptionally well for me in my time here.”
Celtic continue to fall behind their European rivals. O’Neill believes combining with the Premier League could be the only way to save Scottish football going forward.
“It’s very difficult for Scottish teams [in Europe],” he explained. “There’s no money, in that sense. You’re talking about Premier League teams, Bundesliga teams buying players for £40m-£50m and them not even playing, not getting into the side.
“Players in the Premier League in the last couple of seasons have cost £70m or £80m and are transferred for £40m about three months later. So it’s ridiculous.
“We have to try to compete with that. At some stage or another we have to compete with that. That’s the difficulty of it.
“You’re trying to get players in at low cost because there’s no money. Eventually, if the SPL [Scottish Premiership] belonged to the Premier League, I don’t think we’d have a problem.”
