But O’Neill is adamant those sentiments are not shared by the players.

Villarreal have already eliminated Roma and Galatasaray and even beyond that Valencia or Bordeaux lie in wait.

“That’s the way I would look at it,” said O’Neill. “It’s going to be a sterner test.

“They will be confident because they knocked Roma out of the competition in the last round.

“The Barcelona thing was fantastic but you don’t get much time to enjoy it. You get over one and then it’s the next one.

“It was a heroic performance in the Nou Camp and a good result with some wonderful performances. But we have to exactly the same again to have a chance against Villarreal.

“We can’t expect anything. You only have to look at last night’s Champions League games to prove that.

“I think it’s sometimes strange, funny and morose that when you do well against a big side then the next one that comes along is seemingly less difficult to some people.

“Nobody here shares that view. They knocked out Roma so they will feel that they won’t have a problem beating us .

“I have watched videos of their games and you can definitely play. I ignore what other people feel. I know in the dressing room that they will feel this game will probably be harder.”

But Celtic midfielder Alan Thompson believes their experience in Europe in recent seasons gives them an advantage over the improving La Liga side.

“I would like to think so,” said the Englishman. “The last year should stand us in good stead.

“We know that they have beaten some good sides so we will give them the respect they deserve.

“We have learned a few things in the last couple of years and we know it’s vital to keep a clean sheet at home.”