Martin O'Neill, the 73-year-old Celtic manager, has navigated his team through turbulent times with remarkable success. Just one month ago, he was handed a lifeline by majority shareholder Dermot Desmond to revive the club's fortunes after Brendan Rodgers' acrimonious departure. Since then, O'Neill has led the team to four consecutive wins in all competitions, including a landmark 3-1 Europa League victory over Feyenoord.
The win at Feyenoord marked Celtic's first away success in Europe since November 2021 and was O'Neill's fifth win from six matches in charge. The result propelled Celtic into contention for European qualification and moved them within four points of Hearts, who top the Scottish Premiership table. Notably, the victory over Rangers secured a spot in the League Cup final next month.
O'Neill's impressive start has been met with widespread praise from fans, who have welcomed him back to Parkhead. Celtic supporters have taken to chanting his name during matches, a testament to their affection for one of their most beloved players-turned-managers. O'Neill himself is downplaying the adoration, joking that it was "fun" and that he might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
In an exclusive interview, Luke McCowan, Celtic midfielder, credited O'Neill with instilling confidence in his team by emphasizing the importance of defending set-pieces. McCowan described O'Neill as an "unbelievable character," praising his ability to manage players' expectations and drive them forward. The player likened O'Neill to a "top manager" who has restored belief within the squad.
O'Neill's remarkable resurgence has sparked debate about his long-term future at Celtic. While some fans are calling for him to remain in charge of the team, others believe that it is time for a new face to take the reins. One possible candidate is Wilfried Nancy, Columbus Crew head coach who appears close to being appointed as Rodgers' permanent successor.
O'Neill himself acknowledged that his age may be an issue, saying "I'd love to have seen him 20 years younger" when asked about his physical capabilities. However, he remains convinced that he has the experience and know-how to drive Celtic forward. As O'Neill continues to defy expectations, one thing is certain: he still possesses a deep understanding of what drives success in football.
The win at Feyenoord marked Celtic's first away success in Europe since November 2021 and was O'Neill's fifth win from six matches in charge. The result propelled Celtic into contention for European qualification and moved them within four points of Hearts, who top the Scottish Premiership table. Notably, the victory over Rangers secured a spot in the League Cup final next month.
O'Neill's impressive start has been met with widespread praise from fans, who have welcomed him back to Parkhead. Celtic supporters have taken to chanting his name during matches, a testament to their affection for one of their most beloved players-turned-managers. O'Neill himself is downplaying the adoration, joking that it was "fun" and that he might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
In an exclusive interview, Luke McCowan, Celtic midfielder, credited O'Neill with instilling confidence in his team by emphasizing the importance of defending set-pieces. McCowan described O'Neill as an "unbelievable character," praising his ability to manage players' expectations and drive them forward. The player likened O'Neill to a "top manager" who has restored belief within the squad.
O'Neill's remarkable resurgence has sparked debate about his long-term future at Celtic. While some fans are calling for him to remain in charge of the team, others believe that it is time for a new face to take the reins. One possible candidate is Wilfried Nancy, Columbus Crew head coach who appears close to being appointed as Rodgers' permanent successor.
O'Neill himself acknowledged that his age may be an issue, saying "I'd love to have seen him 20 years younger" when asked about his physical capabilities. However, he remains convinced that he has the experience and know-how to drive Celtic forward. As O'Neill continues to defy expectations, one thing is certain: he still possesses a deep understanding of what drives success in football.