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MCCOWAN HAILS MARTIN O'NEILL'S 'PRESENCE' IN CELTIC'S RETURN TO FORM

Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan praised Martin O'Neill's impact, crediting the interim boss's focus for closing the league gap. McCowan also shared his "PTSD" over the Auchinleck Talbot cup draw.

McCowan Hails Martin O'Neill's 'Presence' in Celtic's Return to Form
O'Neill's Impact Cuts Hearts' Lead to Just Two Points

Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan praised interim boss Martin O’Neill for helping the team get back on track.

Since O’Neill’s return to Celtic Park, the team has reached a cup final, closed the gap at the top of the league standings, and kept their Europa League hopes alive with a big win against Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

They’re now only two points behind Hearts, with a game in hand, and will play them at Celtic Park next weekend.

O’Neill is expected to make his final appearance in front of the home fans when they play Dundee in Glasgow on Wednesday.

McCowan, who has started the last two matches, said it’s been great to work with a Celtic legend.

Speaking to STV Sport at a Celtic Foundation event for Spirit Aid, the 27-year-old said this about O’Neill: “He has a big presence as a manager, being a Celtic icon.

“From his first game, we did the usual lap of honour at home, and he just looked at us and asked if we had won a cup, reminding us to always focus on the next game.

“He’s always emphasised focusing on the next game. Even after beating Feyenoord, his message was about Hibs on Sunday.

“I think that’s been helpful. He’s always reminding us, and he’s also funny. He says what he thinks, which helps lighten the mood in the locker room.

“It’s been great having him around, and it’s been a pleasure to meet him and work with him.”

Celtic will play the West of Scotland League team Auchinleck Talbot away in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

This match brings back bad memories for McCowan.

He said, “It was the one game I was worried about before the draw because I still have PTSD from it. I was on the Ayr United team that lost to Auchinleck Talbot.

“That wasn’t a good day for me, but hopefully, it’ll be better this time.”

McCowan and teammate Auston Trusty represented the Celtic Foundation at the Spirit Aid charity event in Glasgow on Monday.

Spirit Aid is a Scottish organisation that helps children and young people affected by poverty, neglect, abuse, lack of opportunity, crises, or war.

It’s one of the groups supported by this year’s Celtic Foundation Christmas Appeal.

The Foundation has donated to provide food and gifts for local families, and McCowan and Trusty helped with packing and organising.

The appeal, which gave away more than £40,000 last year, is still going on and aims to help various causes before Christmas.

WILFRIED NANCY: CELTIC BOSS BLOCKS OUT ALL "NOISE" AND CRITICISM AFTER HEARTS LOSS

After the heat following the Hearts' loss, Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy stated he has "blocked everything out," including social media criticism, to focus solely on the team's performance.

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Celtic Manager Ignores Online Criticism to Focus on Europa League

Celtic's head coach, Wilfried Nancy, said he tunes out all the noise when making decisions as a manager.

This comes after the Frenchman faced some heat after a 2-1 loss to Heart of Midlothian in his first game with the Glasgow team.

Before the Europa League match against AS Roma, Nancy said he doesn't pay attention to what others think.

When asked if those opinions bother him, he told a press conference, "That's a good question."

I'll be honest.

Every team I've coached—when I decided to become a coach—well, when I had the chance to become a coach, I'd been an assistant for seven years, working with many coaches.

I always told myself that when I became a coach, I'd block everything out. And that's exactly what I did.

He said he's built a wall between himself and any outside opinions, even online criticism.

I've blocked anything on Twitter that mentions my name, the club, or what people are saying.

People can say what they want. It's part of the job, and that's what we prepare for. I'm not here to comment on everything.

The manager explained that ignoring public opinion helps him focus on what he can control to improve how the team plays.

He used an analogy about how everyone has different tastes, like when people have different experiences with the same food.

We could visit a restaurant together, and you might love the food, while I don't.

Get what I mean? You like it, and I don't.

Nancy made his goals clear: he's focused on his players and the club and wants to do his best to give good performances.

He wrapped up by saying, At the end of the day, it's part of the job. I control what I can to be good with my players, my club, and the people I work with and to make sure we have the best chance of winning by playing well.

His team will play AS Roma in the Europa League tomorrow.

PEACE PRIZE SCRUTINY: FIFA FACES FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT UNILATERAL DONALD TRUMP AWARD

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is accused of four breaches of the ethics code by FairSquare, including awarding the first FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump at the World Cup draw.

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Infantino's Political Comments Spark Neutrality Complaint

After the World Cup draw last week, FIFA is facing a formal complaint about political neutrality. FairSquare, a nonprofit, sent FIFA’s Ethics Committee a detailed letter pointing out four possible violations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the event, one of which was giving out the FIFA Peace Prize.

Calls for FIFA to Look Into It

FairSquare's complaint follows the World Cup draw. At the event, the awarding of the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize was part of several mentions of President Donald Trump. FIFA said the award recognised Trump’s work in promoting peace and unity around the world.

FairSquare believes that giving the prize, along with other things that happened during the event, might have gone against FIFA’s policy of being politically neutral. They've requested the ethics committee to look into the decision to create and give out the FIFA Peace Prize and whether it followed FIFA’s rules.

Infantino and Trump

Infantino and Trump have met a few times over the years, which isn't unusual, as FIFA presidents often meet with leaders from different countries. During the draw, Infantino made some comments about Trump.

He said he was surprised by negative comments about Trump. He stated that, regardless of not being American, Trump was elected in the United States, and one should respect the results of a democratic election.

FairSquare's complaint argues that these statements show a political stance, breaking FIFA’s neutrality rules.

FIFA's Ethics Code

FIFA's ethics code says that the organisation should stay neutral when it comes to politics. It specifically says FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion, also requiring everyone bound by the code to remain politically neutral when dealing with government groups.

Infantino has met with Trump a few times, including an invitation to the presidential inauguration and visits to the Oval Office.

Acting Alone

The Peace Prize given to Trump has been questioned, as it seems it was decided on and awarded without talking to senior FIFA officials. High-ranking FIFA officials were unaware of the award before its announcement. The award was revealed on the same day Infantino spoke at an event in the United States.

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