Martin O'Neill, as promised, brought his Celtic squad to Derry last night to play the home team in front of a full house.

Celtic won the game 2-1 but the result is not important: what is important is what the game does for Derry City.

Derry were all but down and out after the British taxman called for a winding up order on the club because of an outstanding tax bill - and immediately Derry native Martin O'Neill announced that he would do anything in his power to help the club, including bringing over his team to play a friendly game.

This set the ball rolling for the saving of the Candystripes and in a few short weeks they are out of financial difficulty because of the backing of the local community and Celtic.

O'Neill nearly played for Derry when he was 16 but instead joined Distillery in Belfast, because that was where he planned to go to college. He moved from there to Nottingham Forest and starred for Brian Clough's side in their back-to-back European triumphs.

The match last night will put around £100,000 in the Derry coffers and the fans know why this happened: Martin O'Neill was the only man who could save the club and that is what he did.

The fans gave him a wonderful welcome home last night but he refused to take all the plaudits.

He said: "I didn't give this club a lifeline or save it, although I feel privileged that Celtic have played a part in helping clear its debts and putting the club in a strong position for the future."

Good on ye, O'Neill - modest as well!