Gough hails 'Mr Motivator' O'Neill
New Livingston boss Richard Gough believes Martin O’Neill deserves to be recognised among the cream of managers in British football.
Gough kept a close eye on the Celtic boss when he watched the Bhoys beat Hearts on Boxing Day, and he is now looking forward to pitting his own side against the reigning Scottish champions at Parkhead on Sunday.
The former Scotland and Rangers defender is only weeks into his first management job after taking over from Allan Preston at Almondvale late last month.
And with his 10th-placed side still battling it out in the relegation zone, he is aware of the enormity of the task facing the Lions against O’Neill’s Celtic.
The 42-year-old insists the league leaders have strength in every department of the team, but he rates O’Neill’s management as a crucial factor in their recent success.
Gough, who will be returning to Parkhead for the first time since losing the 1998 Scottish Cup final there to Hearts, said: “I think it is a remarkable achievement how he has managed to turn things around the way that he has, with my old club winning the treble being the only blip really in the four years he has been here.
“He is one the top three or four managers in British football, in my view. He has got physically strong players but mentally very good players as well.
“John Hartson and Chris Sutton were immense on Sunday and Neil Lennon is a fantastic asset. Not many people see it but football players love having someone like him in the team.
“Defensively, Bobo Balde and Stan Varga handled Mark De Vries as well as I have seen anyone handle him on Sunday. They are a powerful squad and O’Neill has put that team together.
“But he is obviously a terrific motivator as well. It is easy putting them together but motivating them is maybe one of his best assets. You just have to look at him to see he will be a good man motivator.
“They seem to work very hard for each other as well as being good players, I just hope we can catch them on one of their off days, but I know from experience those type of boys do not have too many off days.”
Gough was delighted with his side’s defensive display in their goalless draw with Dunfermline on Monday, with the hard-earned point lifting the Lions off the foot of the table - and he is looking for more of the same in Glasgow this weekend.
He added: “The team showed great attitude for me again against Dunfermline. We have had a couple of good clean sheets and if we can get one at Parkhead we will be doing remarkably well.”
