IT’S MEN AGAINST BHOYS

SCOTTISH CUP MJALLBY: Brendan’s champs are no match for Martin’s 2001 treble winners... we were a team of grown-ups

JOHAN MJALLBY insists the current Celtic side are no match for Martin O’Neill’s 2001 treble-winning team.

The Hoops hero believes it would be Bhoys against men if the two teams were pitched against each other.

Despite hailing the possibility of Brendan Rodgers and his players emulating the feat of his own era the Swede is adamant O’Neill’s group would be too strong when asked to compare the present-day side.

He said: “I would say, probably, yes. I say that because of the experience. We were a team of men.

“This team now is fantastic but you need to give it another year before you can compare it with Martin’s team.

“But if they keep doing what they’re doing now they’re going to be No.2 after the Lisbon Lions.”

Mjallby believes there are parallels to be drawn between his treble-winning season and the aspirations of the side that aim to walk in their shadow.

He said: “We were in the same position as Celtic are today. We had a great season. Quite early we knew we had won the league and the League Cup.

“The task was to keep your focus, form and still be in shape. You try not to get any negative thoughts, like ‘one or two more games then it’s a holiday’.

“It’s more about keeping your focus and doing the same things you’ve done during the season because it’s working.

“And we had Martin O’Neill who was probably one of the best motivators in the game. He was good at keeping you on your toes so you didn’t slack off.”

Celtic’s aim of claiming the Invincibles tag was also something Mjallby reckons won’t carry as much gravitas as it would have when he was pulling the boots on for the club when they only lost three