Martin O’Neill admitted that he was staring a Scottish Cup exit square in the face until Celtic scored a last-gasp leveller against Dundee before going on to claim a remarkable extra-time triumph.
Steven Pressley’s side looked like they could be on their way to their first win in the competition at Celtic Park when midfielder Ethan Hamilton thundered in his first Dundee goal in the 49th minute of the pulsating fifth-round tie.
The home side toiled thereafter but, with effectively the last touch of the game which went beyond the five added minutes on the board, Junior Adamu — who came off the bench to make his debut — flicked in a dramatic equaliser.
Two minutes into extra time another substitute, Sebastian Tounekti, who set up Adamu’s goal, fired in the winner for Celtic.
It completed a stunning escape in a match that was played out to a half-full stadium, with many home fans continuing their protest against the Celtic board.
A relieved O’Neill said: ‘Well, naturally delighted to be in the hat for the next round. It seemed a long, long way away when, what was it, the 97th minute?
Martin O’Neill praised the determination of Celtic in coming back from behind to win
Celtic players celebrate the extra-time winner from Tounekti
Dundee boss Steven Pressley was gutted that his side fell agonisingly short
‘I definitely think that we showed a determination to go to the very, very end, and try and create something.
‘I’m just so pleased with the team, naturally. I thought they were brilliant. Really, really brilliant to see that through, despite the mistakes that we made during the course of the game.
‘While the ball’s probably in the penalty area, then you know something might still materialise, as Seb had it.
‘I thought his introduction was probably key, really, as much as anything else. But you would think that the game’s gone beyond you.
‘If, for instance, Dundee kicked the ball clear, that’s probably the game over. But we’ve found a way to save the game and we find a way to win it.’
Dundee boss Pressley thought his side had sealed a famous win before Adamu came up with the late leveller.
The former Celtic centre-back, who had ‘no complaints’ about the game going over the five added minutes, said: ‘I’m exceptionally proud of the team. To a man, they were exceptional.
‘They left nothing out there. But not only did they show incredible effort, I thought they showed a lot of bravery.
‘Bravery to take the ball under pressure and play and build. So there were so many good things and the truth is, I thought we were there.
Celtic unveiled Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a new signing and O’Neill has high hopes for him
‘You always have to give clubs like Celtic a great deal of respect. They never give up.
‘I just thought we were there. I’m so disappointed.’
Celtic confirmed the signing of 32-year-old former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a couple of hours before kick-off.
O’Neill will ascertain his fitness in the next couple of days ahead of the home game against Livingston on Wednesday.
He said: ‘We would know in a couple of days. He looks in really decent shape. He’s not carrying any weight and he’s raring to go.
‘I said this pre-match, he shows that hunger that he’s had for his career and a determination. And I think in terms of options he could have hung around the London area, even if Arsenal weren’t to take him. He could have, he didn’t.
‘And so he’s decided to come up and throw himself forward here. I will have a look at that and see how he does in the next couple of days.’
The former England international had earlier spoken of his delight at joining Celtic after penning an initial deal until the end of the season with scope for an additional year if the move goes well.
‘It’s been a busy few days, but I’m delighted and really excited,’ said the 32-year-old. ‘Speaking with the manager, it just felt like the perfect fit for me, and I feel like I can come in and help out the lads.
‘It’s exactly what I need. I need another challenge and I’m lucky enough it’s at a massive club like this.
‘And they can help me get back to where I need to get to and, more importantly, I need to help the team achieve the goals we want to do.’
