Post by Taxigirl on Mar 12, 2004 10:34:53 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3503838.stm
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was upset by Robert Douglas' sending off in the hard-fought win over Barcelona.
The Celtic goalkeeper was dismissed, along with Thiago Motta, after an altercation in the tunnel at half time.
"There was a bit of a skirmish and I think he was trying to separate anybody who was involved in it," said O'Neill.
"I don't know whether we have any TV cameras in the tunnel but Rob is very, very annoyed. It was a perfectly good game and then tempers frayed a bit."
Barcelona striker Javier Saviola was also dismissed for kicking out at Alan Thompson - the scorer of the game's only goal.
All the red-carded players will miss the return leg in the Nou Camp on 25 March, as will Celtic defender Bobo Balde, who picked up his second yellow card in Europe this season.
"In terms of discipline, I thought we did exceptionally well and, in terms of playing on a pitch which has cut up badly in recent weeks, we did exceptionally well," added O'Neill.
"We have beaten Barcelona here and it doesn't matter how things go in a fortnight, it has been a wonderful effort.
"In the second half we were terrific and got at them and I think we fully deserved the win.
"I'd have settled for 1-0 before the game. After all, we've beaten a top European side full of quality players."
Celtic skipper Jackie McNamara was also full of praise for his team-mates but knows the second leg will present a tough challenge.
"Barcelona are a very dangerous side," said McNamara.
"They kept the ball very well and they have a lot of fantastic individual players.
"We maybe rode our luck a bit at times but we battled hard not to concede anything."
While conceding that Douglas and Balde will be missed, McNamara has faith in the players who will come in as their replacements.
"It will be difficult over there but everyone will be up for the occasion," he continued.
"And with Henrik Larsson in the side - there's always the chance of us getting a goal, no matter where we are.
"These are the kind of games you dream of being involved in as a youngster."
Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard was involved in separating the unsightly scuffle at half time and he was quick to defend Motta.
"Players were arguing and struggling," said Rijkaard. "But it was definitely not our player who started the whole fuss.
"I thought we played well and created good chances to score, although it was very difficult when we had just nine men.
"I was not so impressed by Celtic because I know how they can play.
"They were missing some players but we I think we had the better opportunities.
"At the Nou Camp we will do everything we can to get through and it should be an interesting game."
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was upset by Robert Douglas' sending off in the hard-fought win over Barcelona.
The Celtic goalkeeper was dismissed, along with Thiago Motta, after an altercation in the tunnel at half time.
"There was a bit of a skirmish and I think he was trying to separate anybody who was involved in it," said O'Neill.
"I don't know whether we have any TV cameras in the tunnel but Rob is very, very annoyed. It was a perfectly good game and then tempers frayed a bit."
Barcelona striker Javier Saviola was also dismissed for kicking out at Alan Thompson - the scorer of the game's only goal.
All the red-carded players will miss the return leg in the Nou Camp on 25 March, as will Celtic defender Bobo Balde, who picked up his second yellow card in Europe this season.
"In terms of discipline, I thought we did exceptionally well and, in terms of playing on a pitch which has cut up badly in recent weeks, we did exceptionally well," added O'Neill.
"We have beaten Barcelona here and it doesn't matter how things go in a fortnight, it has been a wonderful effort.
"In the second half we were terrific and got at them and I think we fully deserved the win.
"I'd have settled for 1-0 before the game. After all, we've beaten a top European side full of quality players."
Celtic skipper Jackie McNamara was also full of praise for his team-mates but knows the second leg will present a tough challenge.
"Barcelona are a very dangerous side," said McNamara.
"They kept the ball very well and they have a lot of fantastic individual players.
"We maybe rode our luck a bit at times but we battled hard not to concede anything."
While conceding that Douglas and Balde will be missed, McNamara has faith in the players who will come in as their replacements.
"It will be difficult over there but everyone will be up for the occasion," he continued.
"And with Henrik Larsson in the side - there's always the chance of us getting a goal, no matter where we are.
"These are the kind of games you dream of being involved in as a youngster."
Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard was involved in separating the unsightly scuffle at half time and he was quick to defend Motta.
"Players were arguing and struggling," said Rijkaard. "But it was definitely not our player who started the whole fuss.
"I thought we played well and created good chances to score, although it was very difficult when we had just nine men.
"I was not so impressed by Celtic because I know how they can play.
"They were missing some players but we I think we had the better opportunities.
"At the Nou Camp we will do everything we can to get through and it should be an interesting game."