Martin O’Neill has returned to a Celtic side that looks very different from the one he managed over twenty years ago.
Brought in as an interim replacement for Brendan Rodgers to “hold the fort” until a permanent manager arrives, O’Neill has made an immediate and undeniable impact.
He has won six of his seven matches so far, including a semi-final triumph over Rangers, a strong Europa League showing against Feyenoord, and difficult away victories at Hibs and St Mirren.
For lifelong Celtic supporter Luke McCowan, O’Neill’s aura as a club legend was almost intimidating—he even joked that he was “scared” of him. But O’Neill’s sharp wit and dry humour have quickly resonated with both players and media alike.
McCowan shared a memorable story from O’Neill’s first game back, when the team performed their usual post-match lap of honour. O’Neill quipped, “Did you win a cup?” before reminding the squad to stay focused on the next fixture.
That message has been consistent throughout his tenure. After the Feyenoord win, he immediately shifted attention to the upcoming Sunday match.
Since returning, O’Neill has restored stability and unity to a side that had struggled earlier in the season.
His bold decisions—such as starting Johnny Kenny and bringing on Callum Osmand—proved decisive in the 3–1 extra-time win over Rangers.
Apart from a loss to Midtjylland, Celtic have responded with dominant 4–0 victories over Falkirk and Kilmarnock. After the international break, three consecutive away wins further boosted his standing among supporters.
McCowan praised O’Neill not only for his demanding standards but also for the humour and honesty that help ease the atmosphere in the dressing room. He described working under O’Neill as a genuine privilege.
O’Neill is expected to lead Celtic for the final time this week when they face Dundee at Celtic Park, concluding a remarkable interim spell.
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