Celtic manager Martin O'Neill don come out to defend im decision to start Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho for their match against Dundee United, even though the team lose 2-0. O’Neill talk say Iheanacho don recover well from hamstring injury wey dey worry am before, and im performance for training show say e fit play.
For interview with BBC, O’Neill explain say Tomas Cvancara no dey for squad because e don dey sick all week. “Tomas [Cvancara] has been ill all week. He trained yesterday, wasn’t feeling great, so there was no point,” O’Neill yarn. “And let’s see… Iheanacho, I think he had hamstring problems before. But now, in that aspect, he has done very, very well in training.”
The Celtic coach add say e know say Iheanacho no go fit last the full match, but e still believe say na correct decision to start am. “He might not last the game, but let’s go and see,” O’Neill talk. The match wey play for Tannadice no produce plenty chances for Celtic, with Iheanacho first-half effort na the only clear opportunity wey dem get to test Dundee United defence.
O’Neill no blame the pitch for the loss, even though e admit say the condition no too good. “I wouldn’t mention the pitch. It is the same for both teams,” e talk. “I think the thing that I thought in terms of the conditions, which beforehand you’re trying to take into consideration, that if we could have some possession and then play it into [Kelechi] Iheanacho, that he could hold it and be in the penalty box and be a threat.”
The manager remind everybody say Iheanacho no don play since e come off for Premier Sports Cup final, but e still believe say the striker fit contribute for the match. This loss na Celtic eighth loss for the league season, but O’Neill insist say e no go affect their title ambition. E talk say the squad still get quality to challenge for the remaining matches.
For the match against Dundee United, Celtic no fit break down their opponent defence, and the 2-0 loss show say dem still get work to do. But O’Neill stand by im decision to play Iheanacho, and e promise say the team go bounce back for their next matches.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
