Martin O'Neill explains why Kilmarnock clash is 'big' despite Europa League win
Martin O'Neill says Sunday's Premiership clash with Kilmarnock is 'big' for his team after their statement win over Besiktas on Thursday night.
Celtic produced a big Euopean football just in time to give themselves a chance of progressing to the next round of the competition following a winless start in their first three.
Attention now turns back to the Premiership and taking on a Kilmarnock side that currently sits bottom for one after a disappointing start. Celtic scored five against Kilmarnock when the two sides met earlier in the season, but they come into this one after two without a win in the league, albeit with that Besiktas clash coming since then.
The aim now is to go into the break with the wind of back-to-back wins in their sails.
"Yeah, that would be nice. Our total focus now is on this game," said O'Neill. "It's the last game before the international break. I think the crowd will be enthused by tonight's performance, and we have to try and win the game on Sunday."
He added: "Sunday is big for us. We have to try and win the game. It will not be easy for us. And then the international break comes - some players will get a little bit of time. The international break is absolutely no good for international players, because they're just going to play again.
"Scales is going to play. Kasper didn't get into the Danish squad - me personally, I'm quite pleased about that. I thought he worked extremely hard. It was the best I've seen him holding the ball up as well, so I was really, really pleased with his performance. But I take your point entirely - we have got to try and win, and then get ready for the part leading up to Christmas and beyond."
Celtic went into the last break in poor form and with pressure at a real high, so a win here would be a huge relief, sending the Bhoys into the break with a four-point lead in the league and with their Europa League hopes still alive. That would be quite the change of circumstances, and certainly a big change in stress levels around Parkhead.
