Proven winner

O'Neill seeks to add European title to Scottish triumphs

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) -- Celtic coach Martin O'Neill aims to continue his excellent record by leading the Scottish club to its first European silverware in 36 years in the UEFA Cup final against FC Porto.

A win over the Portuguese champion on Wednesday at the Olympic Stadium would be Celtic's fifth trophy since O'Neill arrived from Leicester City in the summer of 2000.

In the Northern Irishman's first season, Celtic lifted the Scottish league title and won both domestic cup competitions. The club repeated its league triumph last year while in this season's title race, Celtic is neck-and-neck with crosstown archrival Rangers.

The 51-year-old coach says he is excited about reaching Wednesday's final, the biggest European achievement in his career.

"It's a marvelous feeling and we will go and enjoy it. I think we thoroughly merited a visit to the final," O'Neill said after Celtic overcame another Portuguese team, Boavista, in the semifinals.

O'Neill praised his team but added he is not resting on his laurels.

"The players here have been terrific during the last few years but I am trying to replace them with younger and potentially better players. These boys have proved over the last three years that they are ready for the fight," he said.

O'Neill's record is beginning to draw comparisons with the legendary Jock Stein, who guided Celtic to a string of titles in the 1960s and 70s, including the European Champions Cup in 1967.

And his success has alerted several top teams in England.

Leeds reportedly wanted him to replace David O'Leary a year ago, while he has also been tipped as a possible substitute for Alex Ferguson when the Manchester United coach eventually stands down.

However, O'Neill has pledged his short-term future to Celtic after signing a one-year extension to his contract earlier this month.

"I have signed the documents. It doesn't make a bit of difference to me, but I suppose it satisfies some people that it's done," the Belfast-born coach said at the time.

O'Neill began coaching in 1990 after a successful playing career in which he made 64 appearances for Northern Ireland.

He was a member of Nottingham Forest's European Cup winning side in 1980, having missed out on the team's triumph in the competition the previous season through injury.

O'Neill's first coaching job was at semiprofessional team Wycombe Wanderers and he responded by leading the club into England's professional soccer league and then gained promotion the following season.

After a brief stay with Norwich, he had a successful stint at Leicester, guiding the team to promotion to the Premier League and winning the League Cup twice.

Renowned for his motivational skills, O'Neill also has a fiery temperament which has also brought a string of suspensions.

His latest punishment came when he received a two-match touchline ban after being ejected during his team's UEFA Cup victory over Celta de Vigo earlier this season.

 

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