Celtic manager supports Kasper Schmeichel following loud boos from the crowd.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill came to the defense of Kasper Schmeichel after the goalkeeper faced boos from his own supporters during a 4-1 loss to Stuttgart.
The 39-year-old was slow to react to the first goal of a Bilal El Khannouss brace and made an ineffective attempt to stop a low shot from Jamie Leweling, which resulted in the score becoming 3-1.
The Denmark international was met with jeers from a portion of the crowd each time he handled the ball in the following five minutes, and he received sarcastic applause when he managed to save a low shot from Tiago Tomás.
O’Neill, who acknowledged that his team allowed some “really poor goals,” stated: “We played Feyenoord in a match that we probably needed to win, and I think it was 1-1 at that point, and he made an incredible save. Without that, we likely wouldn’t be in this position.
“This is a team sport, and we all need to cope with it.”
When questioned about the possibility of fielding Viljami Sinisalo due to the growing discontent among fans regarding Schmeichel’s performances, O’Neill replied: “You’re posing a question here on Thursday night. Who knows what might transpire by the end of it all?
“All I can say is Kasper Schmeichel has played numerous matches, he’s experienced some downturns, and he’s bounced back.
“Kasper Schmeichel has performed exceptionally well for me during my time here.”
O’Neill did not hold back in his criticism of the fans who disrupted the match’s start by tossing numerous miniature balls onto the pitch just seconds after kickoff.
The game was paused for several minutes as stewards and players cleared the balls, which were thrown in protest against the board.
O’Neill remarked: “Anyone who thinks that’s a good idea needs to reconsider their judgment.
“I have been a manager here at this football club when teams like Juventus were genuinely intimidated coming here. There was a sense of unity that encompassed players, managers, fans, everything. The entire atmosphere.
“Can you imagine being a Stuttgart player now and feeling anxious about the crowd? The atmosphere at the start was fantastic. And then suddenly that occurs.
“One, it obviously disrupts the game. And secondly, if I’m a Stuttgart player, I’m thinking ‘I don’t feel too bad here. I don’t feel too bad, rather than being daunted by the situation.’ That benefits no one.
“I truly don’t understand the rationale behind it.”
Benjamin Nygren briefly equalized for Celtic in the first half, but a stoppage-time goal from Tomas has made the upcoming trip to Germany appear to be a distraction the Hoops can ill afford amid a significant struggle for domestic honors. The match is scheduled three days before the first of two visits to Ibrox on consecutive Sundays.
O’Neill would not look past this weekend’s match against Hibernian.
“They are not going to postpone it,” he said regarding the second leg. “Our focus is on Sunday now. Sunday is the most crucial for us.”
