Martin O’Neill’s short return to Celtic will be remembered as colourful, charismatic, and surprisingly successful. The 73-year-old stepped back into the Celtic dugout as interim manager and delivered everything from high-energy press conferences to an Old Firm cup semi-final win, plus a surge up the Scottish Premiership table. And on his final night in charge, he walked away with applause, affection — and a Celtic tracksuit he openly admitted he planned to take home.
Following Celtic’s 1–0 victory over Dundee, which moved the club level with Hearts at the top of the league, O’Neill took a triumphant lap of honour at Parkhead. Players followed behind him applauding, while supporters belted out his name one last time.
“These players have been absolutely fantastic and that’s why they’re champions,” he told the crowd. “It’s been a privilege.”
His farewell performance matched the positivity of the team during his eight-match spell, where Celtic rediscovered intensity, unity, and belief.
A Classic O’Neill Moment: ‘I’m Taking the Tracksuit’
Back inside the media room, O’Neill delivered one more iconic moment, joking — or perhaps not joking — that the Celtic tracksuit he’d worn during his interim stint was going in his luggage.
“Do you know what? I’m going to take the tracksuit,” he said with a grin. “Steven, the kit man, doesn’t know yet. But I’m putting it in the bag — seriously. I’m definitely taking this.”
It was typical O’Neill: warm, witty, self-deprecating, and adored by those listening.
O’Neill’s Return: A Masterstroke in PR, Coaching, and Supporter Unity
The arrival of the Celtic legend brought immediate calm to a club that had been shaking from internal tension. Fan protests and board criticism had dominated the weeks leading up to Brendan Rodgers’ departure, and the club AGM was even abandoned amid supporter unrest.
Then came O’Neill — a legendary figure with charm, gravitas, and a deep connection to Celtic history. His presence bridged the gap between an angry fanbase and a board under pressure.
In just eight matches, he delivered:
- 7 wins
- A League Cup final place
- A climb from eight points behind the leaders to level with Hearts
- A Europa League highlight win over Feyenoord
While not every performance was as sparkling as the Rotterdam display, Celtic under O’Neill found ways to win — something that had eluded them earlier in the campaign.
“It’s all been a blur,” O’Neill said after the Dundee victory. He called his time back at the club “the time of his life.”
He even admitted he secretly hoped the previous match at Easter Road would be his last, nervous he might “mess it up” at Parkhead. But the job was done. Three points secured. Celtic back on track.
A High Bar Set for Wilfried Nancy
O’Neill’s emotional send-off clears the way for new manager Wilfried Nancy, who now faces an intimidating run of fixtures. Some supporters had hoped O’Neill would remain until at least the League Cup final, believing his experience could ease the pressure on the incoming boss. But the handover comes at a critical moment.
Nancy’s first three games:
- Hearts at Celtic Park — a top-of-the-table showdown
- Roma in the Europa League — a high-profile match with knockout implications
- The League Cup final at Hampden — a chance for immediate silverware
It’s a demanding start, with the potential to shape Celtic’s season in three different competitions. Nancy could walk out of that sequence with Celtic:
- Leading the Premiership
- On course in Europe
- And with a trophy in hand
Or the early pressure could hit hard.
O’Neill staying on may have offered a smoother transition, but Celtic’s hierarchy has entrusted Nancy with the reins beginning immediately.
A Short Spell, A Big Impact
Regardless of what comes next, O’Neill steps away with his reputation enhanced even further — not an easy task for a club legend who had already achieved so much in his original tenure.
He leaves behind:
- A team with renewed identity and confidence
- A support that feels reconnected and energised
- A squad positioned for success at home and abroad
What he does not leave behind, in his own words, is the Celtic tracksuit.
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