“My wife said I’d mess it up,” but O’Neill navigates Celtic through turbulent times

A Heroic Return

It has been precisely one month since major stakeholder Dermot Desmond invited Celtic icon Martin O’Neill to take the helm following the tumultuous departure of Brendan Rodgers. The 73-year-old had been away from management for over six years and returned to a club struggling both on the field and off.

Celtic found themselves trailing Hearts by eight points in the Scottish Premiership after suffering a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle, alongside increasing fan unrest directed at the board. Although discord still lingers, O’Neill has successfully guided Celtic through a challenging phase, despite initial skepticism from close quarters.

His recent triumph, a commanding 3-1 win against Feyenoord, marked Celtic’s first European away victory since November 2021, and it secured O’Neill five victories out of six matches in his interim role. Under his stewardship, the team has closed the gap to Hearts with a game in hand and earned a place in the League Cup final after overcoming rivals Rangers.

“I can’t say exactly what I was thinking when I took over,” O’Neill reflected. “My daughters were all for the opportunity, but my wife expressed doubt, fearing I might mess it up. So far, I haven’t messed it up. It’s been incredible; the results speak for themselves.”

Growing Confidence

During the match against Feyenoord, Celtic turned the tables after falling behind to a goal from Ayase Ueda. Yang Hyun-jun and Reo Hatate scored to give Celtic the lead, while Benjamin Nygren added a late goal to solidify the victory. This historic win in the Netherlands was their first since 2001, a time when O’Neill first managed the club and led them past Ajax in Champions League qualifiers.

Reflecting on the game, O’Neill stated, “We played exceptionally well. We experienced a dominant period where we controlled the game and displayed great confidence, which was wonderful to witness. Going a goal down could have easily led to us crumbling, but instead, we showed tremendous character and resilience. Once we equalized, confidence surged through the team.”

Celtic now prepares to face Roma and Utrecht at home, sandwiching a match against Bologna, holding the 21st position in a 36-team table with seven points. O’Neill noted, “From last season’s performance, you typically need 10 or 11 points to qualify. It won’t be straightforward, but with two home matches ahead, we’ve gained the essential confidence.”

Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy seems on the brink of being named the permanent successor to Rodgers, and O’Neill appears to feel optimistic about the club’s direction under his potential leadership. “He has a roster filled with winners, and I believe he will lean on those strengths while also focusing on developing other players,” said O’Neill.

Acknowledging Legacy

As the match concluded in Rotterdam, fans passionately chanted O’Neill’s name, honoring one of their beloved figures. During his initial tenure, he secured seven major trophies, and his current efforts to restore the team during such challenging times have only elevated his standing among supporters.

“I told my two brothers to start the chant, and clearly, they did,” O’Neill quipped. “Might as well relish the moment while it lasts. The mood in the dressing room is fantastic.”

Among those enjoying the resurgence is midfielder Luke McCowan, who praised O’Neill’s ability to instill confidence in the squad to challenge Feyenoord. “His main message was about solid defending on set pieces, which allowed our quality to shine,” McCowan shared. “He’s an extraordinary character, adept at easing tense situations and motivating us. His experience and management style command respect—his strength lies in managing the team effectively.”

O’Neill’s Enduring Impact

Despite being 73 years old and out of practice, O’Neill’s influence remained evident as he guided Celtic to a significant victory. His magnetism and tactical knowledge have proven effective, rejuvenating a struggling team and showcasing he still possesses the magic touch of a seasoned manager.

What Fans Are Saying

Craig: “The O’Neill effect is real—great results under this interim manager. I’m all for him staying longer.”

Mark: “Celtic’s best result this season and our finest European showing in years. Martin O’Neill is a legend.”

Peter: “The club should keep O’Neill as an advisor for the new manager. He deserves it after all he’s done.”

Kevin: “Absolutely wonderful performance. O’Neill is the king of kings.”

Dave: “Great performance and immense awareness from Martin O’Neill—he knows what he’s doing. Well done, everyone.”