Vindication for Celtic boss after Fleetwood Town pitch invasion
Martin O’Neill spoke not so long ago about his own belief that the pitch invasion culture that has always been present in football, saying that it’s an emotional response from supporters that will never go away…
Now after events this week at a high profile game down south, his comments have been more than vindicated as Martin was keen to point out.
Fleetwood Town’s stunning win over EPL Champions Arsenal in the English League Cup was the game that resulted in the jubilant home supporters invade the field of play at full time after witnessing their team record an historic victory.
That certainly proves that Martin had a point, not that the Scottish mainstream media were keen to acknowledge back in May as they whipped up their anti-Celtic controversy for title ‘victims’ Hearts who were also aggressively backed by their big West Coast cousins.
Yesterday Martin empathised that he wasn’t opposing sanctions those who invade the pitch, nor should clubs condone such behaviour, instead he rightly points out the hypocrisy of the over the top criticism aimed at the Celtic supporters after the jubilant Hoops supporters celebrated May’s stunning title win over Hearts by entering the Celtic Park pitch.
Martin O’Neill said: “That is true. But again, I get back to the back end of last season when our crowd invaded the pitch.
“I said at the time that I didn’t think that would be the last time it would ever be done. Everybody thought it was one of the greatest moments in football supporters’ lives, which it was as well.
“I’m not a soothsayer, but I knew there’d be another pitch invasion before I departed this earth.”
Martin also said that he agreed with the club’s statement after the recent much publicised incident that led to sanctions that were recently partially upheld after an appeal. The Celtic manager said: “I think that the football club put out a statement and I would be in agreement with that statement.
“For me, you’re talking about Celtic-Rangers games, the big, big matches. They’re massive throughout the world and it’s something lost when the away fans don’t travel to the games.
“I’ve stated that umpteen times and I’m sticking with that. But I’m not in charge of those things. If that’s the rules now and that’s the way it’s going to be, if there’s going to be no away fans in the stadium for the next number of years, that’s certainly out of my control.
“If the authorities think that’s the best thing to do, then that’s fine.”
There may be some merit in criticising Martin for his tactical appreciation in the modern game, or his team selections but you can’t argue with him on his overall knowledge of the game and his understanding of the emotions that are involved in the game. Without that football would be nothing.
