Martin O'Neill singles out Celtic trio, hails 'big moment' and addresses Kasper Schmeichel situation

It was the second time in six days that the Czech striker had shown the bravery all No.9s need if they are to succeed at Parkhead. He was also happy to take the final shootout kick against Rangers last weekend to send Celtic into the Scottish Cup semi-finals on a controversial afternoon at Ibrox.

Cvancara's latest strike midway through the second half against Motherwell was only his second league goal since joining in January. In-form Yang Hyun-Jun scored a double to secure an important 3-1 win.

“I think he took the ball off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, believe it or not,” said an impressed O'Neill. “So that was big, because there's everything riding on the game.

"He took the penalty, and obviously he had a bit of confidence from scoring on Sunday. But it was a big moment, because like a lot of us, we still have to win the crowd over. So he took it, and that's well done to him. Then he helped make the last goal for Yang, which gives you a bit of a cushion.”

O’Neill also praised Yang, who has now scored eight goals this season. “I believe that he was about to leave the football club in August time, which was a wee bit strange, I must admit,” he said. “What he's done in my two spells here has been... well, I couldn't have asked for anymore, really. Not too far behind him was Daizen Maeda today. I thought he was great in terms of what he does for the team. Goes up and plays centre-forward in the first half, comes wide in the second half. But Yang's performance was just, as I said, immense.”

O’Neill lauded Motherwell, who took the lead through Elijah Just and at 1-1 and were still pressing for victory before Emmanuel Longelo was judged to have impeded Maeda following a VAR review. He was sent off and Celtic were awarded a penalty.

The manager described the win as a significant statement in a title race that looks set to go to the wire. “I don't know where it takes us today,” he said. “Today was a big win. The boys have got a lot of confidence from that there, particularly fighting back.”

Meanwhile, O’Neill revealed that goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had trained on Friday although was still not in the squad for the Motherwell game. Viljami Sinisalo continued in goal. The Danish 'keeper has already ruled himself out of his country’s World Cup play-off later this month against North Macedonia due to a shoulder complaint. “He (Schmeichel) has definitely got a bit of a problem with it,” said O’Neill. “You're hoping that it wouldn't have been as long as he's suggesting. But we'll see where we are.”

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