The Celtic goal is funded by a stunning deal that almost triples Desmond’s £5m deal
Opposition Martin O’Neill dismissed allegations that what happened when Celtic won the William Hill Premiership title on Saturday shamed Scottish football as he refused to criticize the fans who invaded the stadium.
O’Neill defends Celtic celebrations
Hundreds of Celtic fans poured into the stadium when Callum Osmand netted in the eighth minute of stoppage time to give the Hoops a 3-1 lead and seal the title.
Many ran towards the dead Hearts players, and the Jambos team and staff were quickly evacuated from Celtic Park back to Edinburgh amid security concerns.
Hearts later issued a statement noting “the very disturbing reports of physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere”.
When asked in an interview with talkSport on Monday that the Tynecastle club had revealed the situation had “disgraced Scottish football”, Celtic boss O’Neill said: “As they might. Well, I don’t believe that, I just don’t believe it, I think it’s nonsense.”
When host Jim White suggested they had tarnished Scottish football, O’Neill replied: “I’m sorry, I don’t agree with that at all.
“The truth is that when we scored the third goal, the game was over, there were about eight seconds left, no matter what the situation. The referee said he blew the final whistle at the end. Then there was obvious excitement, we scored a goal to win the league.”
White then suggested that the fans should not have entered the stadium, to which O’Neill said: “Well, tell all the football clubs that first.
“I thought the final whistle went as soon as we put the ball in the net to get the third goal. It’s a home game and we’re going to win the league, and the fans come into the stadium, okay? Okay, so they have to wait?”
Celtic star warned not to follow Birmingham City who “can’t knock on the door”
The Hoops have the ability to develop players before selling them for a huge profit.
The Hoops still have a cup final to prepare for when they face Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday, but the club’s bosses are already setting plans for the summer transfer window, and have now learned the cost of one of their top January targets.
Celtic are targeting almost three times the price
In January, Celtic made a bid of around €6m (£5m) for Frosinone midfielder Fares Ghedjemis.
The 23-year-old turned down a move to the Premiership and instead led his side to promotion from Serie B, as his 15 goals played a major role in their promotion to Italy’s top flight.
And if Dermot Desmond and co. will return to the 23-year-old Algerian this summer, with reports in Italy now suggesting his club will want €15m (£13m).
Indeed, Frosinone ‘knows that they will find it difficult to keep the striker’ and are backed to cash in on what could be their record sales.
Ghedjemis can play anywhere in midfield, but is at his best cutting from right to left foot, and known for his incredible pace.
With Daizen Maeda’s future in doubt this summer, Celtic will likely need reinforcements in attack, but it remains to be seen if they believe Ghedjemis’s impressive run justifies his new price tag.
