Post by Taxigirl on Mar 29, 2004 11:56:07 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3576823.stm
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is set to rest some of his first team after a 2-1 victory over second-top Rangers virtually secured the Scottish title.
O'Neill's side are now 19 points ahead and he said: "It is a big win for us and to win at Ibrox is terrific.
"The last thing we wanted to do was to allow Rangers any kind of hope.
"I think we will see a much-changed side in future matches as it is the first time that we can think about concentrating on European ties."
Celtic, looking forward to a Uefa Cup quarter-final, are within two wins of regaining the domestic title.
They could win it next weekend if they beat Hearts on Saturday then Rangers lose to Motherwell the following day.
"We're in a fantastic position, no doubt about it," said O'Neill.
"I was delighted to be two goals up and, after that, Rangers came back into the game. I was delighted to be up at half-time.
"After the second goal, it could have gone to three or four, but they had a good save by Klos and we looked reasonably confident."
O'Neill had to endure a backs-to-the-wall effort before overcoming Barcelona in Spain on Thursday.
"I always knew that tiredness would set in and it was a nervy last 10 minutes," said O'Neill.
He again praised 19-year-old goalkeeper David Marshall, who was the man-of-the-match for the second game in a row.
"He has had an incredible four days," said O'Neill. "It was like an Under-21 game for him in the Nou Camp.
"And to come here in that atmosphere with a lot of pressure on him and to play like that, he has a good future ahead of him."
Marshall again took the adulation in his stride.
"The press have gone over the top because of one performance, but because of the size of the club I just have to put up with it," he said.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is set to rest some of his first team after a 2-1 victory over second-top Rangers virtually secured the Scottish title.
O'Neill's side are now 19 points ahead and he said: "It is a big win for us and to win at Ibrox is terrific.
"The last thing we wanted to do was to allow Rangers any kind of hope.
"I think we will see a much-changed side in future matches as it is the first time that we can think about concentrating on European ties."
Celtic, looking forward to a Uefa Cup quarter-final, are within two wins of regaining the domestic title.
They could win it next weekend if they beat Hearts on Saturday then Rangers lose to Motherwell the following day.
"We're in a fantastic position, no doubt about it," said O'Neill.
"I was delighted to be two goals up and, after that, Rangers came back into the game. I was delighted to be up at half-time.
"After the second goal, it could have gone to three or four, but they had a good save by Klos and we looked reasonably confident."
O'Neill had to endure a backs-to-the-wall effort before overcoming Barcelona in Spain on Thursday.
"I always knew that tiredness would set in and it was a nervy last 10 minutes," said O'Neill.
He again praised 19-year-old goalkeeper David Marshall, who was the man-of-the-match for the second game in a row.
"He has had an incredible four days," said O'Neill. "It was like an Under-21 game for him in the Nou Camp.
"And to come here in that atmosphere with a lot of pressure on him and to play like that, he has a good future ahead of him."
Marshall again took the adulation in his stride.
"The press have gone over the top because of one performance, but because of the size of the club I just have to put up with it," he said.