Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has declared that his team's hunger to secure the Scottish Premiership title is now stronger than ever following a pivotal 2-1 away victory against Dundee. This crucial win at Dens Park saw Celtic move to within just three points of league leaders Hearts, with only six matches left in the season.
A Response to Recent Setbacks
This triumph marked a significant turnaround for Celtic, who had suffered defeats in all three of their previous visits to the city of Dundee this campaign. Those losses included two against Dundee United and one against Dundee, with the most recent being a 2-0 defeat at Dundee United just a fortnight ago. That disappointing result had prompted O'Neill to publicly question whether his players truly possessed the mental fortitude required for a sustained title challenge.
Character Shown in Comeback Victory
The team responded in the most emphatic manner possible. Goals from Yang Hyun-yun and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho secured the vital three points. The victory became even more significant when combined with Hearts' earlier slip-up, a 2-2 draw at Livingston. Iheanacho's dramatic winner, coming with just ten minutes remaining, officially reduced the deficit at the top to a mere three points.
'For the first time, a fortnight ago, I had to question whether we really, really wanted it,' admitted O'Neill, who had challenged his squad to undergo a complete mental reset after the Tannadice defeat. 'Forget about the pitch, just in the second half I felt we didn't show an appetite to get into the game. The second goal knocked us really back but we never really created anything through the course of the game.'
He continued: 'Then you have a fortnight to think about it, so we've come in with renewed determination, try to get in front today and try to naturally take the game away from Dundee. We did that today, we're still in it and still have a lot to ponder. Did we reset our attitude? Absolutely, I think we did and I think that was to do with the way we approached the game right from the off.'
A Test of Nerve Passed
The performance was a marked improvement from the display two weeks prior. Celtic showed greater attacking intent throughout the match. Yang provided an early lead, but Simon Murray's penalty equaliser for Dundee set up a tense final thirty minutes. This period became a critical test of character, which Celtic ultimately passed thanks to Iheanacho's late intervention from the bench.
O'Neill emphasised the monumental importance of securing all three points. 'I think that if we had dropped points today, it would have been a long, long way back. I'm not saying it was finished, but it was a long way back. But given the fact that Hearts dropped a couple of points today, the games are difficult. They are honestly, they're really difficult.'
Looking ahead, the manager outlined the challenge: 'So we need to try and beat St Mirren next week so that you go into the split - I think we've got three at home and two away. But there's no room for us [to slip up]. It seems as if there's never been any room for us. But if we had dropped points today, I think that would have been a long way back for us.'
Praise for the Match-Winner
On the subject of match-winner Iheanacho, O'Neill offered praise and context. 'He has had some issues with injuries. At 29, he should be at the peak of his career rather than sometimes scratching around. He scores, he can hold the ball up and is really good at that. He maybe can't run the channels much but at the end of the day he can hold the ball up and that's his trademark. He's played for Manchester City, some time ago like everything else. But that goal will do him the world of good.'
A New Experience for Many
Despite having experienced campaigners like Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney within the squad, O'Neill believes this tense title run-in represents uncharted territory for many of his other players. This is particularly true given Celtic's recent dominance, where the league title has often been secured well before the post-split fixtures.
'We do have a couple of players with experience, but we've actually got a couple of boys who haven't been over the course,' he reflected. 'You make an interesting point because this time last year, Celtic were cruising, you know, and had been cruising for a number of years. This has been really tight for them. So this is kind of - even though we've got some experience in the side - it's a kind of a new experience for these lads. To be chasing and chasing and chasing, you know, and being under pressure to get results all the time.'
O'Neill concluded by highlighting the importance of leadership in this pressured environment: 'But if you're thinking about the likes of Callum [McGregor] and people like this here, yeah, I think that the younger lads would want them to be leaning on someone like him.'
