Post by Taxigirl on Mar 27, 2004 12:07:44 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/3572123.stm
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill handed Uefa Cup hero David Marshall a new four-year contract and joked that it was downhill from now on.
The 19-year-old put pen to paper on the deal after starring in the goalless draw against Barcelona that earned Celtic a Uefa Cup quarter-final place.
O'Neill joked: "David thinks all games are like the Barcelona one. The contract was in the pipeline anyway."
Marshall is set to again be chosen ahead of Rab Douglas against Rangers.
Douglas was suspended for the Uefa Cup tie and is likely to be rested against Celtic's main title rivals, having been struggling with an injury.
Marshall made a string of fine saves in the Nou Camp before committing himself to Celtic until 2008.
"For a young lad to step into the Nou Camp after playing so few games and played the way he did was magnificent," said manager O'Neill.
"But, as I said jokingly to him, 'it's downhill after that'.
"I've said for the last couple of seasons that he's got great potential and the rest is very much up to him.
"We never had any qualms about putting him in, but I don't think anybody would have made up the performance he conjured up for us. It was magnificent.
"I thought his first save in the first minute was a big moment in the game.
"It wouldn't have been his fault if they had scored, but we would have been a goal down within a minute in the Nou Camp.
"So I felt that save was magnificent. It would be great to say we knew he had the ability to do what he did, but it was an extraordinary performance."
Marshall admits that the excitement in the last few days has led to some sleepless nights.
"My mind was always on staying," he said. "Obviously, because of what has happened in Spain, the contract's been brought to the fore.
"But, as the manager said, it was always in the pipeline.
"To sign for the club you supported as a boy is unbelievable, but you just have to try not to let it get to your head and keep working hard in training.
"But it's been an exciting week for me and I got a sleeping pill when I came off the plane from Barcelona just so I could get some sleep.
"But I had a job to do in the park and I just had to do it.
"I've not had much time to think of it but I'll have a look at the game on the video and see what I can improve on because there is always room for improvement."
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill handed Uefa Cup hero David Marshall a new four-year contract and joked that it was downhill from now on.
The 19-year-old put pen to paper on the deal after starring in the goalless draw against Barcelona that earned Celtic a Uefa Cup quarter-final place.
O'Neill joked: "David thinks all games are like the Barcelona one. The contract was in the pipeline anyway."
Marshall is set to again be chosen ahead of Rab Douglas against Rangers.
Douglas was suspended for the Uefa Cup tie and is likely to be rested against Celtic's main title rivals, having been struggling with an injury.
Marshall made a string of fine saves in the Nou Camp before committing himself to Celtic until 2008.
"For a young lad to step into the Nou Camp after playing so few games and played the way he did was magnificent," said manager O'Neill.
"But, as I said jokingly to him, 'it's downhill after that'.
"I've said for the last couple of seasons that he's got great potential and the rest is very much up to him.
"We never had any qualms about putting him in, but I don't think anybody would have made up the performance he conjured up for us. It was magnificent.
"I thought his first save in the first minute was a big moment in the game.
"It wouldn't have been his fault if they had scored, but we would have been a goal down within a minute in the Nou Camp.
"So I felt that save was magnificent. It would be great to say we knew he had the ability to do what he did, but it was an extraordinary performance."
Marshall admits that the excitement in the last few days has led to some sleepless nights.
"My mind was always on staying," he said. "Obviously, because of what has happened in Spain, the contract's been brought to the fore.
"But, as the manager said, it was always in the pipeline.
"To sign for the club you supported as a boy is unbelievable, but you just have to try not to let it get to your head and keep working hard in training.
"But it's been an exciting week for me and I got a sleeping pill when I came off the plane from Barcelona just so I could get some sleep.
"But I had a job to do in the park and I just had to do it.
"I've not had much time to think of it but I'll have a look at the game on the video and see what I can improve on because there is always room for improvement."