The Celtic boss referenced Fleetwood Town fans celebrating on the pitch after their League Cup victory over Arsenal, as proof of a continuing trend.

O'Neill emphasised that he is not opposing any actions taken by the authorities in response to pitch invasions, nor is he suggesting that clubs should condone this behaviour.

Instead, he argues that the reaction to Celtic fans invading the pitch after winning the Scottish Premiership last season did not consider the frequency of such incidents in British football.

O'Neill said: "That is true.

"But again, I get back to the back end of last season when our crowd invaded the pitch.

"I said at the time that I didn't think that would be the last time it would ever be done.

"Everybody thought it was one of the greatest moments in football supporters' lives, which it was as well.

"I'm not a soothsayer, but I knew there'd be another pitch invasion before I departed this earth."

O'Neill was speaking amid ongoing debate surrounding supporter behaviour.

He acknowledged that Celtic had to pay the price for the disorder after their Scottish Cup victory at Ibrox in March.

However, the Hoops boss believes the criticism directed at supporters who celebrated on the pitch after the title-clinching victory over Hearts ignored the reality that similar scenes regularly occur across the game.

The Irishman also reiterated his support for the return of away fans at matches between Celtic and Rangers, stating that the absence of visiting supporters has affected the spectacle.

He said: "I think that the football club put out a statement and I would be in agreement with that statement.

"For me, you're talking about Celtic-Rangers games, the big, big matches.

"They're massive throughout the world and it's something lost when the away fans don't travel to the games.

"I've stated that umpteen times and I'm sticking with that.

"But I'm not in charge of those things.

"If that's the rules now and that's the way it's going to be, if there's going to be no away fans in the stadium for the next number of years, that's certainly out of my control.

"If the authorities think that's the best thing to do, then that's fine."