Older coaches willing O'Neill to succeed - Goodwin
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin believes interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is being willed on by older coaches to win the league "to prove they can still do it". O'Neill presided over a glittering five years in charge at Parkhead in the early 2000s and the 74-year-old has had two spells at the helm just this season. The Northern Irishman took temporary charge back in October following Brendan Rodgers' resignation before being replaced by who Celtic thought was their new permanent manager - Wilfried Nancy.
Following a torrid 33 days in charge, Nancy was sacked and O'Neill returned to Parkhead to see out the season alongside Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham. Despite a turbulent campaign, O'Neill's side travel to Tannadice on Sunday second in the table, just two points behind leaders Hearts. "I think it goes to show that age doesn't really matter," Goodwin said.
"People talk about the coaching game being a young man's game now but I am pretty sure there are a lot of older coaches out there willing Martin O'Neill on just to go and prove that they can still do it. "His experience is incredible, the success that he had at Celtic during his first spell was outstanding, he is probably one of the most successful managers Celtic have had in their modern history and the fact he has been there now a couple of times on a rescue mission this season speaks volumes. "I couldn't speak any higher of the man himself and the job he has done as a manager but of course we are going out on Sunday to try and upset him and make him very disappointed.
" Seventh placed United are looking to bounce back after their late Dundee derby collapse last weekend. After they play Celtic on Sunday, their next league outing is away to third place Rangers. "It is not about us trying to influence what is happening at the top end of the table," he added.
"It is about us trying to gain points that are going to help Dundee United, that is the bottom line. "We dropped a couple of valuable points last weekend but we have got an opportunity on Sunday to go and put that right and that is what we aim to do. "We know what is at stake for both teams, and in particular what is at stake for Celtic in terms of the challenge they are trying to mount against Hearts and Rangers to go and win the title.