The Hoops gaffer was panned by some sections of the support for clinging onto the positives following last week's 4-1 thumping in Lisbon

Martin O'Neill reckons Celtic's 7-1 demolition of Hearts proved he was right to stay upbeat after their Benfica battering.

The Hoops boss took pelters in some quarters for refusing to bash his players after shipping four in Lisbon. Instead, O'Neill clung onto the positives after subs Haissem Hassan and Callum Osmand inspired Celts to a spirited second-half display.

And after rewarding the livewire pair with starts on Sunday, the veteran's faith was vindicated as the champions ran riot against last season’s Premiership runners-up. Speaking to Celtic Player, interviewer Gerry McCulloch suggested the reaction in some sections of the fan media to O’Neill’s post-match verdict had been unfair.

And O’Neill responded: "Well, the interesting thing you talk about the media, in all honesty, is that I know whatever you say, it'll go whatever way they want it to go. But I was really positive about the second half.

"I told the players in the dressing room after the Benfica game that that's it, we've got to take the positive side of it, otherwise you just might as well lie down.

"I wasn't widely bothered about what media or fanzines were saying at the end of it all, as long as the players believed it was the most important thing. And they certainly did.

"We had great moments on Sunday, it was lovely to win, it was lovely to score the goals that we did. And now we've got a massive game on Thursday to try and win, to try and get back into that competition."

The 74-year-old was chuffed with the performance of youngster Osmand in particular, who marked his first senior start with a first-half brace.

Asked if the result instils new confidence into the team, he said: "It does, absolutely. And particularly the players who scored the goals as well, too, they feel as if they've made major contributions to the game.

"I mean, for instance, if you think that young Osman playing wide, that was his first start ever for Celtic. He's played wide, it's not really his favourite position. He wants to probably play alongside the centre-forward. Hopefully that will happen in time. Callum did very, very well, scored the goals, and looked a really decent player."

Now O’Neill wants his rampant Hoops to carry that swagger into Thursday’s showdown with Celta Vigo as they bid to get their European campaign back on track. Celtic have lost their opening two Europa League games and know another slip-up would leave their hopes of reaching the knockout stages hanging by a thread.

O’Neill added: "I think that's right. I think we've been beaten by Hearts then again, it's a game that you could do without nearly. But I think for us to try and get back on track again is the most important thing.

"We desperately want to try and qualify for the knockout stage of the competition, which we did last year. We're off to a poor start in terms of results. But we try and put it right on Thursday night against a side who can consider themselves really unlucky in a couple of their games.

"They've conceded late goals as well, particularly against Juventus, and so they'll be looking for three points themselves. Hopefully it should make for an open game."