The uncertainty over Celtic manager Martin O'Neill's future at Parkhead was put to one side in Dublin today as the Scottish champions beat Shelbourne 4-1 in their first pre-season friendly. Man of the match John Hartson claimed a brace, while Didier Agathe and Chris Sutton both grabbed a goal apiece against the Dublin side.
The Eircom League side tried to fight back and they managed to find the back of the net through Stephen Geoghegan to cancel out Hartson's opener. But the Glasgow side ultimately proved to be too strong and went on to win easily. This game was billed as the meeting of the Scottish and Irish champions but it was clear to see that O'Neill was the star attraction.
His emergence from the Tolka Park tunnel provoked a frenzy of activity from the assembled photographers and TV cameramen as chants of `Martin O'Neill, Martin O'Neill' rang around the park. Shelbourne had already tasted their first league defeat at the hands of Cork on Friday night but Celtic showed no signs of slipping from the standards they set last season.
They were without Swedish stars Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjallby, who had both been given time off to recover from their World Cup exploits and injured duo Neil Lennon and Joos Valgaeren were also missing. But that did not prevent Celtic from taking the lead just six minutes into this game.
Midfielder Liam Miller crossed for Hartson to nod home the Celtic opener. But Shelbourne fought back and they were on level terms again after 17 minutes when Wes Holihan passed for Steven Geoghegan to fire past Hoops goalkeeper Robert Douglas. Celtic were looking the more dangerous side and they were back in front nine minutes later.
Stephen Crainey picked out Hartson with the cross and, once again, the big striker was on target with the header. The Scottish champions extended their lead four minutes later when Jackie McNamara floated a long ball into the path of Agathe who slid home Celtic's third goal.
The game turned sour shortly before the half-time break when Alan Thompson and Stewart Byrne confronted each other and both found their names in the referee's book. As is typical with most friendlies, there were a large number of substitutions and O'Neill made no less than eight changes during the interval.
Sutton should have put Celtic 3-1 ahead after 52 minutes but the Shelbourne keeper easily held his shot. But the former Premeirship winner with Blackburn did manage to add his name to the scoresheet two minutes later but this time the provider was Colin Healy.
Pre-season Friendly – Shelbourne 1-4 Celtic.
