GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill during a Premier Sports Cup Semi-Final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park, on November 02, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has had his say on the media driven agenda following Sunday’s League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
The Celtic boss was speaking in Denmark ahead of the Europa League tie against Midtjylland.
ONE AGENDA
Matchday 4 in the Europa League was basically a sideshow to the Scottish media who are hanging on to the Auston Trusty booking as if it was the only incident from Hampden.
Every angle has been explored, statements issued. The Daily Record even referenced seven of Bobby Madden’s pals for proof of a travesty of justice!
The reporters sent to Denmark had one task from yesterday’s media conference. O’Neill on Trusty.
He obliged. They got their answer, he had a dig at the serial losers and highlighted one incident where Celtic were wronged. One of many. Questions about the other decisions weren’t asked.
The Sun reported O’Neill saying:
I’m delighted to be here and if you said to me I’ve got one more win over Rangers, well that’s the best news in the world…for God’s sake, take it on.
Whatever sort of excuses they make, two things…
I don’t think it was a penalty and I think Trusty was lucky to stay on the field, having seen those things back.
So, that’s my points.
Those quotes came from a separate media conference given to newspaper reporters.
Brendan Rodgers ditched that privilege after Keith Jackson of the Daily Record published details of an off the record discussion with newspaper reporters.
Under veteran Communications Manager Iain Jamieson keeping newspapers sweet seems to be Celtic’s priority. Regardless of the agenda that they are driving.
RECORD AGENDA
The Record and others have been all over the Trusty incident while ignoring almost everything else, Many have been claiming that Tony Ralston should have been sent off.
Genuinely there hasn’t been any sort of comment or discussion on the VAR image used to disallow an own goal from Nicky Raskin.
There is far more wrong about that decision and image than there is right about it.
O’Neill is used to viewing the VAR systems in use in the EPL and in UEFA competitions.
HOME MADE VAR DECISIONS
Diplomatically the SFA version is a joke. Manual and allowing the operators to create the outcome that they want on marginal decisions.
It isn’t 360 degrees, it isn’t automatic. Steven McLean and Andrew Dallas have plenty of previous.
Alas no one inside Celtic will challenge the manual VAR used by the SFA.
At the 2024 AGM Michael Nicholson was asked about a Kyogo ‘goal’ disallowed in the September Glasgow derby. By Dallas on VAR. The Celtic CEO shrugged his shoulders and smirked. He’s the last person to fight for a level playing field from the SFA.
No questions were put to O’Neill about the Reo Hatate or Michel-Ange Balikwisha penalty incidents. Or the 26-13 free kick count or 6-3 issuing of yellow cards against Celtic.
It is weird though finding oneself in agreement with Sevconauts that Scottish referees should be prevented from officiating Glasgow derbies.
Do you know why referees in wee Scotland aren’t allowed to discuss the game they have just been in charge of ..as in a 10 – 15 minute referee presser after each match , especially the contentious decisions ? Because some scoop may want his/ her 15 minute of fame and ask which team does he support ….tricky situation ! Although I doubt anyone from the daily Record would ask such a pertinent and important question ? That would be a career bursting error in an instant !
What about at the end of the game when Ralston kicks it out for Trusty to get attention for cramp. And they throw it in to their own player and try to score from it?
Bizarre!
Martin was far too soft with The Scummy’s
Grow a pair of balls please Saint Martin !!!