Full Media Conference: Martin O’Neill — Falkirk v Celtic Preview

[0:00] Martin, how's your squad looking heading into Sunday's match? [0:03] Yeah, we're fine, we think. [0:09] I think Trustee is going back home to see. [0:15] I think it's a celebration of his father's life. [0:19] But generally speaking, we're OK. [0:21] Always important when you've got a game soon after, [0:24] when you've dropped points, to go out and make sure you get the three points. [0:27] I think that's our aim every single time. [0:29] Try and win the games if we can. [0:31] Yeah, so we dropped a couple of points. [0:37] And we'll try and retrieve them if we can. [0:40] Can I ask you about comments after the game from Callum McGregor, [0:43] where he was talking about the fact that he thinks that the front three, [0:46] with essentially playing three centre-forwards, [0:49] he doesn't really feel that's working and there needs to be solutions worked out. [0:53] There was a lot made as well about Cameron Carter-Vickers' comments [0:56] before the international break. [0:57] Is that a concern to you that there's maybe senior players [0:59] that are maybe pointing out things that they don't quite think is working [1:03] within the team at the moment? [1:04] I have no idea what Callum McGregor said. [1:07] Callum, he was saying that tactically he doesn't really feel that the front three [1:10] when, you know, it's Camilo Duran on one side, Callum Osmond on the other, [1:15] he doesn't feel that that really works because essentially they're playing in wide positions [1:18] but they're acting like strikers. [1:20] And he said it can work in moments, [1:21] but he said that over the course of, you know, long term it's not really something [1:24] Yeah, well I've said this to you before, so I totally agree. [1:28] Totally agree that, that Osmond is actually really a centre-forward, [1:33] I've said this, I've said it at the press conference, [1:35] that he is essentially a centre-forward, [1:37] he probably would play off somebody strong alongside him, [1:41] not so sure that he could lead the line on his own, [1:43] and that Duran is really a centre-forward in it. [1:46] So, yeah, the players are getting to know each other, [1:49] it's really as simple as that there. [1:51] So I'm in total agreement with Callum. [1:53] When it comes to that front three, [1:54] is that just a personnel solution that you're going to have to work out? [1:58] Well, we'll sort it out, we'll sort it out, [1:58] we seem to be doing okay domestically, trying to sort it out. [2:01] You know, players are playing, [2:03] there's a few players that haven't had a chance, [2:07] Le Tombo hasn't had a chance yet to play, [2:10] there'll be moments, absolutely, [2:12] so there'll be people in the squad, [2:15] young Vandenberg, again, just trained today. [2:18] And so, over the course of the next number of weeks, [2:22] between now and Christmas, [2:23] I think everybody will be on the field of play, [2:25] and then it's a matter of establishing, you know, [2:27] right positions as much as possible. [2:30] Players have played out of position before, [2:32] don't know whether it was a big issue [2:33] when young Osman come on in the Benfica game [2:38] and set us alight. [2:40] When it comes to the fact that, [2:43] do you feel hamstrung by the fact that, you know, [2:45] Jota's not fully fit yet, [2:47] you've got Yang out, [2:47] you maybe don't have the natural wide options [2:50] that you would want at full fitness? [2:52] Well, I think that, [2:53] well, personally speaking, [2:54] I think that Hassan came on, [2:56] and I think in the second half, [2:59] he is essentially, [3:00] his best position is wide right, [3:02] playing in and coming in. [3:03] I thought he did brilliantly for us going forward, [3:06] really, really terrifically. [3:07] And so, [3:09] and he caused them plenty of problems. [3:12] He got balls in, [3:12] he beat players on the outside. [3:14] So, no, [3:15] when Yang comes back, [3:16] of course, [3:17] he'll add something to me, [3:19] something to us, [3:20] because he was in great form before that. [3:22] So, [3:23] and yeah, [3:24] he starts back with us on Monday, [3:26] and we'll see how he is [3:27] before the end of the, [3:29] or before the beginning of the international break. [3:31] So, no, [3:32] I've not got a problem with it. [3:33] Martin, [3:34] you've done one round of games so far. [3:36] How would you assess that first round of games? [3:38] Yeah, [3:39] I think we've done fine. [3:40] We're leading the league at this minute. [3:42] We're a four-point gap, [3:44] which is nothing at all [3:46] at this stage of the season. [3:48] I mean, [3:48] we retrieved that a couple of times last year. [3:51] Bigger leads than that there [3:52] that we fought back from. [3:54] And so, [3:56] yeah, [3:57] domestically, [3:57] we're doing fine. [3:58] We try and maybe [3:59] try and get a result or two [4:01] in European football. [4:02] It'd be nice, [4:03] but overall, [4:04] yeah, [4:04] I've been really satisfied with the team. [4:07] What would you be looking for [4:08] in the second round of games? [4:09] If it was at all possible to match that, [4:12] I would be delighted. [4:15] That's improbable, [4:17] but it's something that we'd be aiming for. [4:22] Just on that in mind, [4:23] obviously, [4:23] a four-point need could go seven on Sunday. [4:26] It's not all bad, [4:28] is it? [4:28] It's like you're in a very good position. [4:30] Well, [4:31] I don't know. [4:32] I come in here every single week, [4:33] and I'm most of the time [4:36] pretty buoyed by things, [4:37] so don't try and throw a lot of divides in [4:41] at the end of the day. [4:42] We're doing fine, [4:44] and absolutely. [4:45] So when we get the players who, [4:47] a lot of lads here [4:48] that we have [4:50] didn't even do pre-season with us. [4:53] A number of players come in [4:54] quite late on, [4:56] so it will take time for us to get it. [4:58] So we need to hang in there, [4:59] and at this minute, [5:00] I think we're hanging in. [5:01] And the possibility of going seven clear [5:04] so early? [5:06] Well, [5:06] I wouldn't look at it like that, [5:09] seriously. [5:10] I know we're playing against Falkirk [5:13] themselves [5:14] after a bit of a stodgy start. [5:17] They're flying now at the moment. [5:19] It's going to be a difficult game for us, [5:20] but we've a chance to try and win the game [5:23] if we can, [5:24] and that's what we'll try and do. [5:27] The decision to play the next Scottish Cup game [5:29] at home behind closed doors [5:31] has been confirmed. [5:32] What's your thoughts on that? [5:33] Just the same as the club. [5:35] I think the club made a statement for it. [5:37] I think Ian has told me, [5:39] so I would be in agreement with that. [5:41] You've often talked about the fixture, [5:43] how you can get benefits [5:45] from the way fans are coming. [5:46] Do you think it's now reached a stage [5:48] where that is the way forward, [5:50] no away fans? [5:53] Either club, [5:54] either Celtic visiting, [5:56] Ibrox or Rangers fans visiting. [5:58] Well, [5:58] that looks as if that's going to be the way, [6:00] but you know that I've never thought that. [6:03] My thoughts have been [6:04] it's a great, [6:05] great fixture [6:06] and therefore [6:07] it's the occasion is added to [6:11] by away fans [6:12] being in the ground. [6:14] That's the point. [6:15] Oh, [6:16] by the way, [6:16] I noticed [6:16] I noticed [6:18] there was a pitch invasion there [6:21] at Fleetwood. [6:23] Did you see it? [6:24] That was considered [6:25] an iconic moment in the game. [6:27] Remarkable. [6:29] So that's [6:29] obviously making reference [6:31] to the last game of the season, [6:32] doesn't it? [6:32] Yeah, [6:32] of course. [6:33] Does that still irks you? [6:35] Yeah, [6:35] well, [6:35] we won. [6:36] No, [6:37] it doesn't ideally irk me anymore, [6:38] but it's just [6:39] what I did say [6:40] at the end of the season [6:41] was that there'll be, [6:42] I'm quite sure [6:43] in my lifetime, [6:44] there'll be another pitch invasion [6:45] which will be [6:46] taken in a different manner. [6:48] That's exactly [6:49] what's happening. [6:49] That's exactly what's happening.