O’Neill on away fans ban and midfielder’s fitness ahead of Old Firm quarter-final clash | OneFootball

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admits the Old Firm will be strange without away fans, as his side travel to Ibrox on Sunday to face rivals Rangers in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final. After discussions between both Glasgow clubs and the SPFL, the decision was taken to ban away supporters from Old Firm matches this season. These measures come following a Scottish FA independent review of post-match crowd disorder when the two sides faced off in the Scottish Cup last season. The same will apply next weekend when Rangers visit Celtic Park in the clubs’ first league meeting of the campaign. O’Neill regrets that his team will be without their supporters in what will be a heated knockout game at Ibrox. “I think that it will be strange in many aspects not to have any away fans in our area. I always felt that they gave us a crumb of comfort,” said O’Neill. “I think the crowd will obviously be right behind their team, and I would expect that to be reciprocated the following Sunday. We know we are up against a very fine side and a crowd who can make a difference. “If we can get in front in the game, that will make the crowd anxious.”

The Celtic boss rested several key players in a 1-0 victory over St Johnstone, starting star-man Camilo Durán on the bench. “He has been so brilliant for us,” commented O’Neill. “I thought that we could rest him for the game, then I was not sure that we could. I’m not sure that we’re good enough to rest people in that sense. Over the course of time we will have to make changes, particularly since we’re playing European games.”O’Neill confirmed that midfielder Mika Baur is back training normally after picking up a small knock. The Celtic manager has a goalkeeping decision to make, with new arrival Sam Johnstone bringing strong competition for Viljami Sinisalo. O’Neill did not give away any clues on who he will start against Rangers. “I haven’t made my mind up at all. I thought Sam did very well, and we needed to get a look at what he could do. It’s great to have the two of them. Sinisalo has done exceptionally well for us.” The League Cup quarterfinal could go all the way to penalties, and the Celtic boss believes his side are prepared to handle the shootout pressure. “We cannot replicate the stadium and the crowd, but if you’ve not practiced, it can be a double whammy for you. You might as well have a few shots and that’s what we do at the end of our training sessions.”