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O'Neill on Engels, Dens Park test & title chances

by Luna
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Interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to travel to Dundee on Sunday.

Here are the main points:

  • Midfielder Arne Engels, who has been out injured since February, has trained most of the week but O'Neill says: "I can't rule him out or in for Sunday."
  • Julian Araujo is still with Bournemouth recovering from a thigh injury at Bournemouth but O'Neill is confident the right-back will play again this season: "We expect to see him back, hopefully in the not too distant future."
  • On Sunday's trip to Dens Park, O'Neill says: "I've just been reminded there that all three managers of Celtic this season have lost in Dundee, either Dundee United or Dundee. We'll try and rectify that."
  • With title challengers Rangers and Hearts both in action before Celtic kick off on Sunday, O'Neill notes "psychologically there's an advantage to playing early if you go and get your results" but knows his side "have to take care of our own results".
  • The Northern Irishman says Celtic "made a lot of mistakes" in their 2-0 defeat at Dundee United before the international break but insists they have to "put it to the side".
  • Asked if a victory is necessary to keep Celtic's title hopes alive, O'Neill says: "You're probably right. I think we started to drop a lot of points there. With the games running out, that would be a difficult comeback from there. Not impossible."
  • O'Neill insists his side "have the belief" they can go on a perfect run between now and the end of the season, adding: "We had a setback. The teams in and around us have had setbacks in recent times. So we've just got to put it to the side, get ourselves really geared up for the game and be ready for a very, very strong match."
  • The boss has been "really happy with the training" this week and says the players want to make amends for their performance at Tannadice.
  • But O'Neill is expecting "a really difficult game" against Steven Pressley's side.

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