Celtic’s Martin O’Neill says he might be ‘totally wrong’ on what he thinks about Scotland v Denmark

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The final leg of the international break will conclude on Tuesday evening, and Celtic boss Martin O’Neill will be watching on with distinction.

Whatever happens, there is bound to be someone who returns to the Celtic dressing room with their spirits pretty low, as nations continue to book their golden ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer.

Scotland will host Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday evening, days after their damaging 3-2 loss to already-eliminated Greece.

Anthony Ralston came off the bench for that game, but Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney was unused, as three points against the Danes will send Scotland to their first World Cup tournament since 1998.

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Martin O’Neill on Scotland v Denmark’s World Cup qualifier

O’Neill is set to take charge of St Mirren this weekend, as Celtic continue their search for a new manager and finalise a deal for Wilfried Nancy.

Of course, with his manager’s hat on, O’Neill doesn’t want any of his players to get injured for Scotland’s blockbuster game against Denmark.

There is every chance Ralston and Tierney feature, even starting for Steve Clarke, whilst Kasper Schmeichel is expected to start in between the sticks.

Given that there is so much riding on this game, O’Neill thinks, before a ball was kicked for World Cup qualification, the Scottish fans would have accepted such a scenario, even though he might be ‘totally wrong.’

Either way, one of Ralston and Tierney, as well as Schmeichel, will be back at Parkhead this week, needing to be picked up emotionally.

“The first thing I will be thinking about as a club manager (that the Celtic players come out unscathed),” responded O’Neill.

“But you are right. A big, big game. Scotland is still there now. I think, and I might be totally wrong on this, but if you were to ask Scotland to begin with, certainly the supporters, they have to win at Hampden to qualify for the World Cup. I think they would have taken that.

“Way back when the group opened up in the first place. So, winning at Hampden, the last game, you qualify, and you are in the World Cup in the summer time, so I think they would have taken that.”