Celtic manager Martin O'Neill last night thanked UEFA for his touchline reprieve - but that won't stop him fighting his ban all the way.
He was due to sit in the stand tonight for the third-round second-leg tie with Celta Vigo after his dismissal in the first leg a fortnight ago.But UEFA bosses decided to give him special dispensation to be on the trackside.
"I fully appreciate that UEFA took time out to allow me time to get together a defence, whatever way possible," said O'Neill.
"I don't know whether they will be able to fit it in before Christmas, but I will be going to put my feelings across."
O'Neill is still unhappy at the way he was treated by French referee Claude Colombo a fortnight ago, but expressed greater satisfaction at the news Danish official Claus Bo Larsen will take charge tonight.
O'Neill added: "You won't mind me smiling now, but the word aggression doesn't seem to appear in the Spanish dictionary.
"When you look at players like (Valencia's Roberto) Ayala then these are top-class players who can look after themselves. Pele - the best in the world ever - could also look after himself.
"You seem to forget that we see Spanish football on TV every weekend and anybody that says Celta Vigo lack aggression wouldn't be telling the truth.
He added: "Arsenal complained last night about Valencia's aggression and Manchester United will complain tonight about Deportivo La Coruna's aggression."
Celtic will be hoping to recover from their Old Firm defeat on Saturday. O'Neill said: "The response every single time after defeat has always been very positive, certainly in my time, and that is the sort of response I expect."
Celtic have the firepower to score an away goal, which O'Neill believes his side will need, with Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton and John Hartson at his disposal.
"We will need to be on our mettle for this game because they are a side who are third in La Liga which is considered the best in the world.
"But we have to score a goal and I know we are capable of scoring a goal. This is a different game to Sunday, but the approach will be the same."
Celta Vigo (0) v Celtic (1)
TV: Network 2, kick-off 8.05
