After a frantic and dramatic finish against St Mirren, Martin O’Neill looked visibly relieved when the final whistle blew — and he admitted that the same sense of relief swept through the dressing room.
Celtic had to wait until the 95th minute to make the breakthrough, with Callum McGregor unleashing a superb strike from outside the area to secure a win that could have major implications in the title race.
The performance wasn’t smooth or dominant, but the victory was absolutely essential, and O’Neill made it clear he understood its importance.
Speaking to the BBC after the match, the interim manager revealed the message he delivered to his squad behind closed doors at the SMiSA Stadium.
“How much have I enjoyed them? Yeah, well, obviously tonight there’s relief as much as anything else, but you have to enjoy winning football matches,” he said.
It was a crucial three points for the club, especially given the off-field turbulence of recent days. The reaction at full time showed how much it meant to the supporters—true Celtic fans who have stood firmly behind the team.
O’Neill explained that he reminded the players of what nights like this are all about: finding a way to win, even when the performance isn’t perfect. “Sometimes, if you don’t play well and get a result like that, it’s a great old feeling. It keeps confidence alive, as well as anything else, and it keeps momentum going.”
This turbulent spell has been a whirlwind for O’Neill, who still doesn’t know exactly how long he will remain in the job. But despite the uncertainty, he continues to focus on the fundamentals: fight for results, enjoy the victories, and keep building forward.
His work has created a strong foundation for whoever takes over next. The atmosphere within the squad appears far more positive now than it was in the days following Brendan Rodgers’ sudden resignation. With three important league wins already on the board and a derby semi-final victory also secured, O’Neill is showing his players that even on nights when the quality dips, grinding out wins like this can shape the course of an entire season.
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