Martin O’Neill reckons Ange Postecoglou will have to deal with the surging levels of expectation going into his second season in charge of Celtic.
But the heightened demands are still a lot more appealing than having to deal with Champions League qualifiers.
The Parkhead legend believes direct entry in to the group stages of European football’s top competition is a game changer for his old club in a number of ways.
O’Neill admitted he used to despise going in to the brutal qualifying stages with one hand tied behind his back.
It’s 20 years since he started Celtic on their way on the memorable run to the UEFA Cup Final in Seville.
But it’s also two decades on since he had to suffer the Champions League exit at the first hurdle.
The charge across the continent helped Hoops fans forget about the defeat to Basel in the play-off, but the pain lingered for the manager who was determined to get back to the top table having dealt with Ajax at the same stage 12 months earlier.
It’s all a hassle any Celtic manager can do without and leapfrogging the lottery of qualifications will be a weight off for Postecoglou – and it will also help with his summer recruitment drive.
The prospect of traipsing across the continent in July doesn’t sound much fun to some – including O’Neill.
He said: “They got straight in to the Champions League group stage. When was the last time a Celtic side did that – 2008?
“Did I help Gordon Strachan get there? I don’t think he ever thanked me!
“But it’s huge. That is the biggest thing, not having to play teams you would beat in October but are difficult in the third week in July.
“Those games used to annoy the heck out of me. Going to Lithuania or something, those games really concerned me.
“People would say, ach, you’ll win this easily. No, you’ve had two weeks training and you are straight in.
“Going straight in is a huge boost for Celtic.
“Your whole outlook changes. You are not under pressure in pre-season, you are ready to go.
“It’s fantastic.”
Bypassing the banana skins is a big one for Postecoglou – and it’s also a major factor when it comes to tempting new signings to Parkhead.
O’Neill has been there himself and he reckons it’s a much easier proposition when the brochure includes guaranteed group stage football against Europe’s elite.
Celtic are in a crowded market but if it comes down to playing in the Championship or Champions League, then as far as he is concerned there’s only one winner.
O’Neill said: “Is it a big selling point? Absolutely. The club – and the same goes for Rangers – is the star and is its own selling point.
“But going straight into the Champions League is another story.
“If I’m a player plying my trade in the Dutch league for example, which is very strong, but the chance to get in to Celtic and straight in the Champions League would be something to really think about.
“That’s where you boost your own image if you do well enough. It’d be an easier task to recruit when you have that.”
O’Neill believes the summer recruitment will be key for Postecoglou to meet his own rising expectations never mind the demands of the fans
The fans favourite reckons the current gaffer won’t just be using the Champions League as a tempter – he’ll be wanting players who can make an impact at that level.
That might mean there’s a ruthlessness when it comes to retention as well as recruitment, but that comes with the territory when improvement is a must rather than just an an intention.
O’Neill said: “I just hope he doesn’t phone me for any advice!
“I think he’ll know that himself and it’s about trying to get a better players for that level.
“Obviously he’ll show loyalty to the ones who got them there but in his own mind he’ll be thinking about carrying it further.
“I’d think he’d be trying to strengthen the side to compete in Europe.”
O’Neill knows it’s about time Celtic did just that. He remains the last Hoops boss to win a knockout tie beyond Christmas, when he got the better of Barcelona on the way to the UEFA Cup last eight the season after Seville.
Eighteen years is a long time without going deep though and he is hoping Celts can follow Rangers’ lead after Postecoglou’s free pass last term.
O’Neill said: “I think after the start last season the manager had to almost disregard Europe and concentrate on the league.
“That’s what he did and now the expectation is higher. They are in the Champions League and of course there will be great nights.
“But they have to address European football now and compete.
“Celtic’s results in recent years have not been good enough.
“There has been an upsurge in the Scottish game with Celtic winning the league and Rangers getting to the Europa League final.
“European football matters a good deal, obviously. You look at the Champions League but you look at the Rangers run.
“People sat up and took notice, especially the Dortmund win and now it’s over to Celtic.”
Martin O’Neill was promoting Premier Sports live and exclusive coverage of Armenia v Scotland (June 8) and Republic of Ireland v Scotland (June 11).
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