Few people know the landscape of being Celtic manager like Martin O’Neill does.
Even fewer saw a season like this coming. O’Neill has had to come in as an interim manager to save Celtic’s backside… not once, but twice.
He has now taken charge of his eighth game of his second interim spell, equalling the total from his first, as well as the entire spell of Wilfried Nancy.
In his most recent game, against Dundee in the Scottish Cup, the Hoops survived an almighty scare… but the game was also littered with referee talking points.
But one from the game that hasn’t been spoken about so much almost led to a long-term injury to one of his key players.
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Will this make or break the club?
Martin O’Neill on Kieran Tierney incident in Celtic vs Dundee
Kieran Tierney had to be withdrawn late in the game after taking a boot to the face from Dee winger Cameron Congreve.
The incident led to the game going beyond the five minutes of initial added time, allowing Junior Adamu to equalise for Celtic in the 97th minute.
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O’Neill also discussed Tomas Cvancara’s penalty claim in the first half, joking that it almost brought back his referee ‘paranoia’.
On the Tierney incident, he said: “I am surprised that it wasn’t looked at a little more seriously.
“I am not saying the player meant to do it, but it was a high boot, and today’s rules. There were a few funny ones on Saturday.
“I felt we should have had a penalty too, and it was looked at very quickly. It was lightning… as if it never happened! But there we go. The penalty nearly brought back all my paranoia!”
Tierney had to be checked for a concussion after the knock, but O’Neill confirmed that he will be available for Celtic’s match against Livingston.
He said: “Kieran came off with expected concussion, but I think he broke a bone in his nose.
“But he’s okay. He’s alright. I think he wants to be available.”
Should Celtic have been awarded a penalty against Dundee?
Celtic’s season of injuries
Tierney’s recent injury history was a concern for some fans when he returned to Celtic, but the long-term absences have ended up coming elsewhere in the Hoops defence.
Alistair Johnston suffered a hamstring injury away back in August in the Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty, ruling him out for several months.
When he made his return against Sturm Graz, the injury reoccurred almost immediately, and he is still recovering from surgery.
In the same game, Cameron Carter-Vickers suffered a serious achilles injury which could potentially rule him out for the rest of the season.
Jota, who hasn’t been seen since a knee injury in May, is also doubtful to make a return before the end of the current campaign.
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