Mjallby Feels Celtic Can Eclipse O'Neill's Winning Streak

Last updated : 02 December 2008 By Clydebuilt
Johan Myallby was never one to shirk out of a challenge and this was never more evident when he was asked to defend Celtic's early exit from Europe this season. Big Dolph done this in his own inimitable style - by changing the subject onto the SPL race and tipping Celtic, not only to four in a row, but also to beat the winning run that Myallby and his team mates went on in 2003-2004 where they won an un-paralleled 25 games in a row.

"The players will find football too easy for them right now. That's what happens when you start winning so many games in a row." He said

"They will believe they are unbeatable.

Every game will be seen as one they can win. That's how we felt during my time at Celtic.

"Confidence is the key. All the basics will be done so naturally. They won't even have to think about their passing, defending or positioning. It will come so easily to them.

"I always say that is a good starting point. When the simple things are done successfully without even thinking about it everything else follows.

"Basically, they will find football easy to do. And when teams are of this mind, they keep winning and winning and winning.

"Whether they can go on a 25-match run is something we will have to wait and see. But it's hard to see them losing much right at this moment in time.

"We would go on these runs and look to every game as one we would win."

Whilst Johan concedes that there are not many players in the current squad who would get a regular place in the 2003-2004 squad he is confident that Celtic have plenty of players who are capable of doing everything required to ensure Celtic get a result.

He said: "Strachan has match-winners, as we did, and that plays a big part. It's the difference between victory and a draw. Shunsuke Nakamura played a great pass for Shaun Maloney to beat Inverness and it's another win.

"That was a tight game, yet there was one player who could create a magic moment. We had quite a few.

"Celtic win when they don't play well.

That is a massive strength. Rangers must play well to win. If they don't they seem to drop points.

"Seven points is a big gap to have at this stage of the season and playing catch-up is stressful.

"While Celtic go into every match expecting to win, there is massive pressure on Rangers not to slip up again - especially because they will believe Celtic aren't going to drop many points right now."

Well said Johan!

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt