Martin O’Neill addresses Luke McCowan call for Celtic vs Rangers

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Martin O’Neill has explained his decision to start Luke McCowan for Celtic against Rangers.

McCowan has been handed his first start for almost two months, replacing Sebastian Tounekti in the team’s front three.

It’s a curveball from O’Neill, but not something that we haven’t seen before. McCowan had a similar role in most of the games during the Irishman’s initial eight-game spell in interim charge.

Speaking ahead of the game, O’Neill said he will play a “wide-ish” role.

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Martin O’Neill: Luke McCowan will play a ‘wide-ish’ role for Celtic vs Rangers

Asked about the call by Celtic TV ahead of the seismic encounter, the interim Parkhead boss explained: “Luke has been doing very, very well.

“Alistair Johnston’s coming in, and Alistair’s going to give him a lot of support, of course, there.

READ MORE: Watch Celtic fans give rousing welcome to players for Glasgow Derby

“It’s just a little change of formation for us, as far as we’re concerned, in terms of Luke being wide-ish right, cutting in on the left.”

On the balance of his approach for the game, O’Neill said: “I think you’ve summed it up; I think composure’s really important, of course.

“I think discipline is really important as well, too. In these games, you can’t get carried away. You can’t get carried away with the emotion of the situation.

“And that’s important for us. So, you know, those things… you have to play with your heart, of course. That’s most important… and play with your head.”

On the role of the fans, he concluded: “Oh, listen throughout the years, as you’ve mentioned, since the Fergus McCann put this [stadium] together, it’s been a fantastic stadium.

“You only have to listen to fantastic managers throughout the world talking about this, here. Today… Celtic-Rangers game… they don’t come much bigger.”

Celtic Park is set to be rocking as we enter the final week of the Scottish Premiership season.

The Green Brigade have been vocal in their calls for the support to play their part in the run-in, with the title set to be decided by the barest of margins.