Celtic manager Martin O'Neill claims that his players are as buoyant as he could wish for ahead of tonight’s UEFA Cup semi-final second leg tie against Boavista in Portugal. He had feared their last-gasp defeat at Hearts on Saturday could have hit his players' confidence but allayed those concerns after flying into Portugal yesterday, claiming his stars cannot wait for the showdown at the Bessa Stadium.
“The nerves are okay,” said O'Neill. “We are fine and we're looking forward to it. We know it's close at hand and we're just trying to prepare as best as we possibly can. It's very upbeat. It's great to be here on a glorious April evening and we're involved in a semi-final of the UEFA Cup. The lads are very upbeat and looking forward to the game - they are bound to be - and they are as upbeat as I want them to be.”
Boavista have also suffered a slump in league form, but he is adamant that domestic form will count for nothing. “I don't think that will have anything to do with the game,” added O'Neill. “It is a UEFA Cup semi-final and I don't think Boavista have been too concerned about their league form for some time."
O'Neill has labelled Boavista favourites to book their place in the Seville final on May 21 - but revealed his players are confident of scoring this evening. They will have to do it the hard way again having sent Liverpool tumbling following the same 1-1 scoreline at Parkhead. The Scottish champions also scored in Celta Vigo, Stuttgart and Blackburn en route to the last four and the Northern Irishman is confident of a repeat. “Boavista have proved themselves to get to the semi-final and have proved themselves to be a very formidable team….it is a big obstacle. Boavista are the favourites to go through having scored away from home, but we are capable of doing it again.”
Celtic are boosted by the return of Chris Sutton to their squad - but O'Neill looks unlikely to draft the striker straight back into action after an injury lay-off. O'Neill said: "We'll have a look at it to see what his position is, but he's not had much football...I have brought Stanislav Varga and Magnus Hedman and they're not going to be involved at all so I wouldn't read too much into that."
Boavista will be without key Brazilian defender Paulo Turra, who is suspended. Turra is likely to be replaced by Argentine Fernando Avalos. Striker Joaquim Martelinho is doubtful but Brazilian marksman Elpidio Silva is expected to be fit after being ill.
Filed by James Boylan.
