O'Neill has faith in Agathe fitness
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill claims he has no qualms about handing Didier Agathe his first start since January 9 at Rangers tomorrow.
The influential wing-back came back from a lengthy lay-off with a groin injury as a substitute in last week’s 3-2 Bank of Scotland Premier League win over Aberdeen at Celtic Park.
There were fears that the former Hibernian favourite might have suffered a recurrence of the problem as he was later replaced but O’Neill revealed that was done because of tiredness.
The Celtic manager has concerns over Joos Valgaeren, Ulrik Laursen and Stephane Henchoz for the Ibrox trip but he insists he would have no problem putting Agathe in for what is being billed as a title decider.
“It is a possibility and it becomes more of a possibility because of the problems to Joos and Ulrik,” said O’Neill. “We will see how we are.
“Ideally Didier would prefer more preparation but he was thrown in last Saturday in circumstances he possibly would not have expected and he did fine.
“He has done it before. I remember him being out before for 12 or 13 weeks then he played a bit of a reserve game and then played against Rangers.”
O’Neill is also backing Craig Bellamy to handle anything that his thrown his way across the city – although he does not expect him to get as hot a reception as Neil Lennon.
“That would be a new one if Neil Lennon got an easier time than anyone else,” said O’Neill. “That would be a surprise.
“I assume Bellamy will be booed and I am sure he will cope with it. He will have to – he will have no choice.
“We have played Rangers since all those troubles in the past. Neil Lennon has been able to cope with those particular things and I am sure it will not present a problem. So there will not be a problem, it’s as simple as that.”
