Martin O'Neill believes a pulsating crowd at Celtic Park on Saturday can roar his side to one of the most unlikely title triumphs in the club's history. The champions moved within one win of defending their crown in extraordinary fashion thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho's 99th-minute penalty conversion which sealed a 3-2 win at Motherwell.
Now just one point behind the leaders, the goal means Celtic simply need to beat Hearts at home to deny the Gorgie men their first title since 1960. And O'Neill, who has now presided over six straight wins since losing at Dundee United, feels the Celtic support can play a huge part in taking his side over the line.
O'Neill's Confidence in Squad and Supporters
'We were a long way off after Tannadice and we've taken it to the final game which is great,' he said. 'It's going to take a monumental effort from the team and the supporters who were phenomenal and kept us going. They were cheering us on at 2-2. It will need a major effort against a very good Hearts side.'
'I think we have got a chance, we're at home. The atmosphere will be fantastic. We have to win the game. It's exciting, taking it into the final day and the players have good belief they can do it.'
Asked if calm heads will now be required from his players, O'Neill said: 'I think they'll have to calm me down! We're in tomorrow morning. The lads who played won't do anything and will just wander around and we'll get ourselves psychologically ready. We've done this before, we've played four games in eight days and travelling around Europe, going to Ibrox a couple of times.'
Iheanacho's Heroics and Controversial Penalty
O'Neill felt confident that Iheanacho would do the necessary when he spotted the ball in the 99th minute. 'Honestly, it's easy to say now but penalty taking is still very difficult under the circumstances,' he added. 'But I fancied him. He's on a bit of a mission. He's done great for us in these cameo roles, he's been a big part of proceedings, he's had a really frustrating time with hamstring problems but he's there for us.'
The penalty award against Sam Nicholson for handball was widely disputed by Motherwell. But O'Neill said: 'The lads have a little monitor. The lads thought it was a handball, an elbow as well too. I felt we had a penalty in the first half (for a challenge on Engels) but VAR cleared that one.'
However, Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou hit out at the late award made between VAR Andrew Dallas and referee John Beaton which he felt robbed his players of a deserved point. With Hibs winning at Ibrox, the Steelmen must now travel to Easter Road on Saturday and avoid defeat to hold onto fourth spot.
'I think it's one of the worst decisions I've seen in my career,' said the Dane. 'I can't see any way in any world where that could be a penalty. I can't see a connection with the arm, but if there is it's because he connects with [Auston] Trusty and he pushes his arm up.'
