Martin O'Neill has praised Tomas Cvancara for showing the 'confidence' to take a crucial penalty in Celtic's 3-1 victory over Motherwell on Saturday.
When the Hoops were awarded the spot kick, everyone knew how important it was. With the match in deadlock, it needed to be converted, and people would have expected the experienced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to step up to the challenge.
However, it wasn't the Ox that stepped up, but instead, striker Cvancara, who slammed it home to put the Celts in the lead.
Now, O'Neill has revealed that Oxlade-Chamberlain was actually the intended taker, but that Cvancara took the ball from him.
O'Neill said:
"I think he took the ball off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, believe it or not. So that was big, because that’s everything riding on the game.
He took the penalty, obviously had a bit of confidence from scoring on Sunday. But it was a big moment, because like a lot of us, we still have to win the crowd over.
So he took it, and that’s well done to him. They helped make the goal for Yang, the last goal, which gives you a bit of a cushion.
I can’t really do anything [about Hearts’ game against Kilmarnock], that’s not in our control. But today, I thought we played great, especially the second half, and really got at them. Up until Yang scored, I thought the game was still in the balance."
A split support
Supporters are split on Cvancara, even after his penalty conversion. The Czech has spoken out in recent weeks to say that he would love to sign for Celtic permanently, but a majority of fans are understandably not pleased with his performances so far.
The striker has failed to impress since joining Celtic, only managing two goals and two assists in seven league appearances. When on the pitch, he doesn't get into the right positions, but to be fair to him, he isn't getting the best service.
He will need to start finding his form should he want to win an extended contract, with time running out for him to impress the managerial staff. There is an option to buy in his loan deal from Borussia Monchengladbach, but his lack of consistency may mean that the club opt for him to go back to Germany.
He hasn't started for the Hoops since their 2-1 defeat to Hibernian at Parkhead and failed to make a cameo against Rangers in the league, remaining as an unused substitute. He came on in the cup game at Ibrox, converting the winning penalty, and has now shown his composure from the spot yet again against Motherwell.
But still, penalty conversions aren't the thing that Celtic will be looking for in a frontman, and he'll need to start finding the net from open play sooner rather than later.