Martin O’Neill has hit out at critics of Celtic’s pitch invasion after their title-clinching win against Hearts at Parkhead, branding the reaction ‘nonsense’ in a heated talkSPORT exchange with Jim White
Martin O’Neill has become embroiled in a heated on-air exchange with Jim White, dismissing criticism of the pitch invasion following Celtic’s title-clinching victory over Hearts at Parkhead as ‘nonsense’.
The interim Celtic manager also faced strong challenge from the talkSPORT presenter after downplaying reports of attacks on Hearts players amid the chaotic scenes.
Following substitute Callum Osmand’s strike to seal a 3-1 triumph at Parkhead on Saturday, hundreds of Celtic fans flooded onto the playing surface to begin premature celebrations, despite suggestions that stoppage time remained.
The SPFL subsequently confirmed the fixture had not been called off, while both clubs have condemned the events that unfolded after Celtic’s third goal, with the Hoops issuing an official apology.
However, O’Neill adopted a defiant stance when questioned about the purported attacks on opposing players, escalating matters during a tense discussion with White on talkSPORT on Monday, after the broadcaster suggested the chaotic pitch scenes had overshadowed Celtic’s championship success.
This immediately triggered a passionate response from O’Neill. The exchange unfolded as follows…
White: “There is a suggestion that this shows a lack of class, that it’s tainted the image…” O’Neill: “I’m sorry, I totally disagree with that. I don’t know about the confrontations in terms of the Hearts players, and there’s a lot of hyperbole about that, let’s find out the real picture.
“The fact is that when we scored the third goal, the game was essentially over, there were about eight seconds left, or whatever the case may be. The referee has claimed that he had blown the final whistle at the end. And then there’s obvious excitement, we have scored to win the league…”
White: “Yeah, but they shouldn’t have come on the pitch, Martin, should they?”
O’Neill: Well, start telling that to every single football club…
White: “Well, hang on a second Martin, Hearts called it an embarrassment to Scottish football, do you agree this was?”
O’Neill: “As they might do. Well, I don’t believe that, I just don’t believe it, I think it’s nonsense.”
White: “How’s it nonsense though, Martin, when some fans are up confronting Hearts players?”
O’Neill: “I assumed that the final whistle had gone at exactly the same moment that we put the ball in the net for the third goal. It’s a home game and we’d just won the league, and the fans have come onto the field, alright? Okay, so they should stay put then?”
White: “Have you spoken to Derek McInnes since winning it?”
O’Neill: “No. We’ve shaken hands and I have given him praise, which he has deserved.” White: “At the end of the day though, Martin, again, I can’t let this go. It seems that in certain quarters within the stadium, all discipline was lost, and some fans just… it was a free for all.”
O’Neill: “What do you mean, a free for all?”
White: “If you fancied going on the pitch, you could go on the pitch. Those who fancied going on, went on.”
O’Neill: “Was there not a scene at Ibrox where both sets of fans came onto the pitch?”
White: “And we called that out as well, Martin.”
O’Neill: “Yeah, alright, well done. Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. Let me have a look at the picture, let me have a look as if I’m the judge and jury of these particular things. Let me see the scene at the end of the day, and then I’ll come back to you, okay?”
White: “That’s fair enough, Martin, that’s fair enough.”
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