Image source, SNSImage caption, Martin O'Neill (left) overseeing training with assistant Shaun Maloney
- Published18 minutes ago
With a place in the Scottish Cup final up for grabs this weekend, Martin O'Neill insists he has not allowed himself any thoughts of a perfect Celtic send-off.
"I don't think we are good enough to dream that far," replied the 74-year-old when asked about the prospect of bringing his period as interim manager to a close with the trophy, which he lifted three times during his first spell at the club.
"It's a great competition with a lot of history and I'd like to be a part of that," he added.
Celtic meet St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday, having lost to the Paisley side in December's League Cup final.
Less than a week after replacing Brendan Rodgers, O'Neill had overseen an extra-time semi-final win over Rangers before stepping aside for Wilfried Nancy three games before the surprise defeat at the national stadium.
It has been a tumultuous season at Celtic Park but a league and cup double remains within reach.
Last weekend, Celtic eked out their third 1-0 league success against St Mirren this season and O'Neill, who returned after Nancy's brief reign, hopes his players have revenge in mind.
"It's gone now, they've lost a cup final," he said. "So there's this chance now to try and do something about it.
"It would be lovely if we could do it, but St Mirren will take great confidence from the fact that they won the last time at Hampden, and did very well last week."
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The semi-final comes before the Premiership split, with Celtic third in the table, three points behind leaders Hearts and two behind Rangers.
With five fixtures remaining for the champions to make ground, O'Neill is looking for a boost.
"If we could win the game, it definitely would have a positive effect," he said. "No question about that.
"Quite the opposite I suppose really, it [defeat] could have a poor effect on us.
"But we're going all out to try and win the game."
With Liam Scales suspended, O'Neill will chose between Dane Murray or Benjamin Arthur to step in alongside Auston Trusty in central defence.
Anthony Ralston will continue at right-back, with Colby Donovan out and Alistair Johnston not quite ready following his recovery from a long-term hamstring injury.
