Glasgow, Mar 28: Triumphant Celtic return to Glasgow after knocking Barcelona out of UEFA Cup. Celtic visit Rangers in Sunday's Glasgow derby with manager Martin O'Neill admitting his side's run in Europe has lessened the importance of the Old Firm clash.

Celtic achieved one of their best results in years on Thursday when a 0-0 away draw against Spanish giants Barcelona secured a 1-0 aggregate win and a place in the UEFA Cup last eight for a second straight season. Celtic had to rely heavily on 19-year-old goalkeeper David Marshall, who signed a new four-year contract on Friday, to keep them alive in Barca and he is likely to continue against Rangers. In a positive mood, O'Neill joked with reporters as he stepped in for a news conference after arriving back in Glasgow from Spain on Thursday (March 26).


"It took so long because Marshall just signed his new contract," the manager told reporters.


Celtic's man-of-the-match, who only played because number one choice Robert Douglas was suspended from the first leg, was delighted with the new deal.


"It's been unbelievable, obviously, to sign for the club you supported as a kid and it's great. But you've just got to get on with it and try and not let it get to your head and just work hard in training and try and keep calm".


Marshall had only made five appearances before facing Barca and Celtic manager Martin O'Neill said he was pivotal in helping them achieve one of their best European results in years.


"For a young lad stepping in and having played just a few games, it was really magnificient -- and to play in that sort of scene. That's is what I said jokingly -- it's downhill after that. I don't think we ever had any qualms or any concerns about his temperament stepping into... I don't think nobdoy in their wildest dreams would have said he could have performed the way he did and he was just terrific."


O'Neill's Celtic side have defeated teams such as Liverpool, VfB Stuttgart and Olympique Lyon since he arrived four years.


But the Northern Irishman said overcoming Spanish title contenders Barcelona -- who are third in the Spanish primera liga, only six points behind leaders Real Madrid -- was equal to any win he has achieved at the club.


"Considering all the injuries we had and how well Barcelona are going in the Spanish league, with Ronaldinho in great form, it was a terrific effort from the players to keep a clean sheet," said O'Neill.


The unbeaten Scottish premier league leaders face another Spanish side, Villarreal, in April, hoping for a semi-final berth and O'Neill says success in Europe is now his main priority.


Celtic are 16 points ahead of Rangers in the Scottish premier league and well on course to regain the title they lost last season.


Bureau Report