Celtic to appeal O'Neill sending off

Celtic are to ask UEFA to view video evidence of their manager Martin O'Neill being banished from the touchline during last night…

Celtic are to ask UEFA to view video evidence of their manager Martin O'Neill being banished from the touchline during last night's UEFA Cup win over Celta Vigo.

O'Neill was sent to the stand minutes from the end of a match in which referee Claude Columbo made a series of decisions which angered the Celtic boss.

But O'Neill insisted the referee had been wrong because he was inside the area designated for coaches, and said the referee had no right to usher him towards the stand.

"It was inappropriate without a doubt," snapped O'Neill. "I don't know whether we would have any chance of doing anything about it (with UEFA).

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"I would probably say no chance, but I certainly want to send some video evidence of that particular incident and of the game itself.

"The referee should also have the pleasure of having to look at that before he puts his own official stamp on the game. He's not doing the second game is he?"

Despite the incident, the Celtic boss did not want it to overshadow what he felt was a great performance and victory for his side over the Spanish side.

He continued: "The referee was very poor but that's not been the issue. It's about the team, and they were terrific.

"Their efforts against a side who are sixth in the Spanish League were more than any little side-show distraction from the referee.

"He did his best all evening to spoil proceedings and he had an obvious problem with the linesman because he overruled him consistently and excessively."

Henrik Larsson struck goal number 182 in his five years at Celtic and his 24th of the season to give the Scottish champions their first leg advantage.

Celtic have not survived beyond Christmas in any European competition in 23 years but they will fancy their chances of ending that dismal run after dominating for long periods at Parkhead.

After a frustrating first half for the home side, Larsson broke the deadlock six minutes after the break, latching on to a John Hartson flick-on from Steve Guppy's corner to head home from close range.

The margin could easily have been more comfortable for Celtic. A series of chances went begging in the first half and Hartson had a good penalty shout turned down in the 66th minute after he appeared to be tripped inside the area by Sebastian Mendez after a good exchange of passes with Chris Sutton.

Four minutes later Larsson could have scored his second of the night after another Hartson flick-on left him clear on the edge of the six-yard box but Celta keeper Jose Pinto did well to save with his feet.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill's frustration was obvious and he finally boiled over three minutes from the end, his angry tirade at the officials resulting in him being sent to the stand. O'Neill is likely to be banned from the touchline for at least the return leg. But after making it five wins out of five in the UEFA Cup this season, his side will head for Spain confident of completing the job.