ARNE ENGELS has admitted the Martin O’Neill feelgood factor has given the Celtic players a lift.

Following the dramatic resignation of Brendan Rodgers just over a week ago, the champions had to work quickly to find a replacement.

O’Neill, 73, answered the call from Dermot Desmond and accepted the challenge on an interim basis. Only 48 hours later, the Irishman was pitched into the Parkhead dug-out for the crucial Premiership encounter with Falkirk.

It was his first time in charge of the Hoops in two decades and he was taking over a group of players with confidence levels on the floor after dismal back-to-back defeats from Dundee (0-2) and Hearts (1-3).

Another stumble against John McGlynn’s side was not an option and the squad performed with a vitality and vigour that had been in short supply during a puzzling and perplexing campaign. Goals from Johnny Kenny (2), Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti propelled the hosts to a convincing 4-0 triumph.

That was followed by the weekend’s 3-1 extra-time success in the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final over Rangers to book a place in the showpiece showdown against St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday December 14.

Engels, who appears to...