Martin O’Neill on raising Kasper’s spirits after World Cup defeat

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The Celtic Star

·22 November 2025

Martin O’Neill on raising Kasper’s spirits after World Cup defeat

Interim Celtic boss Martin O’Neill believes lifting Kasper Schmeichel’s spirits may be tougher than expected following Denmark’s 4–2 defeat to Scotland on Tuesday night…

Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

It proved to be a tough night for the experienced keeper, who was beaten by a long-range lob from Kenny McLean and the veteran also received criticism in local Danish media for not doing better for Lawrence Shankland’s goal 20 minutes earlier.

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Ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Premiership clash with St Mirren this evening, O’Neill reflected on the game that saw Scotland secure World Cup qualification for the first time in 28 years.

“I thought the victory, we went to the game, and I thought it was great,” he said via Celtic’s official YouTube channel at yesterday’s media conference.

“I really, I must admit, well of course I was surrounded by Scots people anyway, with Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham, and one of our really good scouts, but it was great, really great, and the manner in which they won, you couldn’t have foreseen that.”

“It was fantastic, absolutely fantastic, so well done, and well done the manager [Steve Clarke], who is now the most successful Scottish manager, yeah?”

Kieran Tierney celebrates after scoring for Scotland against Denmark to take Scotland to the World Cup Finals! Photo – Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

O’Neill added: “It’s really great, and for Kieran [Tierney], I couldn’t be more pleased, couldn’t be more pleased really, but the goal, I was right behind it, right behind it, the minute it left his foot, I thought, this is heading in, and much as the fourth goal was obviously a great goal, three great goals for you, including McTominay’s, the fourth goal might not have happened if Kieran hadn’t scored, so brilliant, absolutely brilliant, yeah.”

“So we have to now pick up Kasper Schmeichel from off the floor now, so that might be more difficult than you think, but we’ll see how he is.”

Schmeichel and the Danish team will now have to make it through the play-offs in March if they are to secure a place at next summer’s tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

They will host North Macedonia in their semi-final and if they advance, they will then travel to meet either the Republic of Ireland or Czech Republic in the final.

Conor Spence

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

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Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

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