O´Neill angry at Taylor abuse

Martin O’Neill has condemned the chants by Sunderland fans towards Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor in Sunday’s derby.

Ahead of the match, the centre-back claimed that not one of the current Sunderland crop would get into the Magpies’ starting XI and was consequently subjected to several derogatory chants during the warm-up and game.

Though O’Neill claimed to have not heard the chanting, the 60-year-old expressed his disappointment that they had taken place.

“I didn’t know that. That would be poor, in very poor taste, if that’s the case. I would be disappointed to have heard that,” he told reporters.

“It (Taylor’s pre-match comments) didn’t figure in my team talk, but some of the players had passed comment about it.

“He’s absolutely entitled to his opinion,” O’Neill said.

“I am delighted he made their bench.”