Martin O'Neill’s return to Celtic Park has sent shockwaves through Scottish football this week, as the legendary former manager was officially appointed interim boss following the abrupt resignation of Brendan Rodgers. Stepping back into the hot seat nearly two decades after his storied first spell, O'Neill’s comeback is a dramatic twist in a season already brimming with intrigue, pressure, and, for Celtic fans, a fair bit of soul-searching.
It all unfolded in rapid succession. On Monday, October 27th, Rodgers tendered his resignation after Celtic’s disheartening 3-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle—a result that left the reigning champions eight points adrift in the title race. The loss capped off a turbulent period marked by public disagreements over transfer policy and a modest European campaign, culminating in principal shareholder Dermot Desmond unleashing a scathing statement labeling Rodgers’ tenure as “divisive, misleading, and self-serving.” According to Desmond, “Regrettably, his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the board.”
With the club reeling and the fanbase in disbelief, Celtic acted swiftly. By late afternoon, Desmond was on the phone to O’Neill, hoping the 73-year-old would steady the ship, if only temporarily. O’Neill, who famously guided Celtic to three league titles and a UEFA Cup final between 2000 and 2005, described his reaction to the call as nothing short of stunned. “I got a call late afternoon, early evening yesterday from Celtic from Dermot Desmond, and Dermot asked me would I step in because Brendan had resigned from the football club. It’s obviously the kind of shock news really as much as anything else. Shocked me as well too,” O’Neill told talkSPORT’s Jim White on Tuesday morning.
Yet, despite the surprise, he didn’t hesitate for long. “Like everything else, I took a gasp of breath and thought, is this real or surreal? It’s difficult really to turn down somebody who gave you the job in the first place when he had really some great options a way back 25 years ago. So from that viewpoint, maybe by the time that I pulled myself off the floor, I probably thought then maybe I should do it.”
O’Neill is under no illusions about the nature of his assignment. He has made it abundantly clear that his role is strictly interim, emphasizing, “Interim does mean that to me. Absolutely. It’s really as simple as that. Celtic are looking for, I would have assumed, a young coach coming in now who has a proven ability and would be wanting to pull the club forward now from their position as it stands. That’s how I would view it and I suppose if I was a Celtic fan, I would absolutely see it.” He added, “I can’t emphasise this enough, this is a short term until a permanent manager is appointed. I will just sit in there and keep the seat warm for him.”
To help him in this whirlwind assignment, O’Neill will be supported by Shaun Maloney, his former midfielder at Celtic who has since built up his own managerial credentials. “I’m working with Shaun Maloney. Sean and I go back years and years ago when he was a young player with me, but he is experienced in management now and he’s worked as well too with lots of really good coaches,” O’Neill said, highlighting the blend of experience and fresh perspective the duo hopes to bring.
O’Neill’s first task? A home clash against Falkirk on Wednesday—a game that suddenly carries much more weight than it might have a week ago. Then, on Sunday, comes the real test: an Old Firm showdown against Rangers in the Premier Sports (Scottish League) Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. “If I’d seen the fixture list, I possibly then wouldn’t have taken it. That’s supposed to be a joke, Jim,” O’Neill quipped, his trademark humor shining through even in the midst of upheaval. The schedule doesn’t get any easier, with a Europa League trip to Midtjylland and a league encounter against Kilmarnock looming before the international break.
For many Celtic supporters, O’Neill’s return is a nostalgic lifeline. His previous reign is etched in club folklore, marked by silverware, passionate football, and unforgettable European nights. He won eight trophies in five years, including three league titles, three Scottish Cups, a Scottish League Cup, and led the side to the 2003 UEFA Cup final. “Naturally, I had a super time at Celtic, it was a privilege. I can’t emphasise enough, it’s short term until a permanent manager is appointed. I’ll just keep the seat warm,” O’Neill reflected on his earlier tenure.
But sentimentality won’t win matches, and O’Neill knows it. “I’ve always said to you on our programme that I have to win football matches and that’s no different. At Celtic, it’s always been the case. So you have to try and win some football matches. If we can do that, if we can win some football matches and give us a bit of buying time as it were until a new man is appointed.”
O’Neill’s recent comments on the state of Scottish football add another layer of intrigue. Just days before his appointment, he praised Hearts as genuine title contenders and criticized Rangers’ current squad, saying, “Hearts are on the rise... They are strong, they have got a bit of backing, and they are physically strong. Celtic can still play some beautiful football but you have got to add to that by being a bit physical.” He also didn’t mince words about Rangers, stating, “Rangers are no threat whatsoever, although the new manager (Danny Rohl), I think he can maybe do something in time. But they are so far adrift, it’s untrue.”
As for the future, O’Neill is adamant Celtic will be searching for a younger, dynamic coach to take the reins permanently. “Celtic will be searching around, as I said to you, for that young manager with proven ability who has got a bit of a track record. I will just sit in there and keep the seat warm for him.” For now, though, the focus is firmly on the present—on steadying the ship, reigniting belief, and perhaps, just perhaps, conjuring some of that old O’Neill magic.
With a daunting fixture list ahead and the club’s title hopes hanging in the balance, all eyes are on O’Neill and Maloney as they attempt to galvanize a Celtic squad in need of direction. The next few weeks promise drama, tension, and—if O’Neill has his way—a few much-needed victories to buy precious time for the club’s next chapter.
Whatever happens, Celtic’s faithful can be certain of one thing: their club is in the hands of a man who knows what it means to wear the badge, even if just for a little while longer.
