O'Neill scoops top award

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill took some consolation from today's 2-0 home defeat by Dundee at Parkhead with the news that he …

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill took some consolation from today's 2-0 home defeat by Dundee at Parkhead with the news that he has scooped the Tennent's manager-of-the-year award.

The champions suffered their first defeat this season at fortress Parkhead after Fabian Caballero's first-half double.

The Parkhead boss was not too downhearted with the double already in the bag and the possible treble on the cards and his personal prize gave him something to savour.

"I'm naturally very, very pleased," admitted O'Neill. "If somebody had said that we would take 52 points out of 57 at home this season I would have gladly accepted that.

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"That comes down to the efforts of the players and I am absolutely thrilled. I might have a couple of glasses of wine tonight to celebrate."

Record-breaker Henrik Larsson endured a rare bad day at the office and just could not hit the back of the net.

The Swedish striker has now just one league game at Kilmarnock next week to beat Brian McClair's SPL record of 35 goals.

But he too is expected to pick another personal accolade later tonight at the Football Writers' awards dinner where he will receive the player of the year award to add to his players' player trophy.

O'Neill said: "I don't think you can say that Henrik Larsson hasn't deserved it this season. He has done just about everything." -PA