The atmosphere at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026, was electric as Martin O'Neill made his much-anticipated return to the Celtic dugout, tasked with steadying the ship after a turbulent month under Wilfried Nancy. The fans, hungry for stability and results, welcomed the club legend back with open arms, hoping he could rekindle the spark that had flickered under his brief but successful earlier stint this season. And what a statement his team delivered—a resounding 4-0 victory over Dundee United that breathed new life into Celtic’s Premiership title ambitions.
O'Neill's return wasn't just a nostalgic move; it was a calculated response to the club's recent woes. Wilfried Nancy’s tenure, which lasted just 33 days, was marred by a string of disappointing performances, culminating in a 3-1 derby defeat at home to Rangers. That result proved to be the final straw, prompting the board to act swiftly and reinstall O'Neill as interim manager until the end of the season. His prior record—seven wins from eight games before Nancy’s appointment—spoke volumes about his ability to get results, even if the performances weren’t always sparkling.
The starting lineup for the Dundee United clash signaled a return to basics. O'Neill abandoned Nancy’s much-maligned back-three experiment, opting instead for a more familiar back four. The change was met with relief by supporters, but one decision drew their ire: the retention of Kasper Schmeichel in goal. Despite a rocky run of form stretching back to the second half of last season—possibly exacerbated by an injury sustained on international duty—Schmeichel kept his place. Fans voiced their frustration on social media, with one declaring, “Schmeichel starting is a joke,” and another lamenting, “Would be perfect if we didn’t have him in nets.” Yet, on this occasion, the Danish veteran had little to do as Celtic dominated from start to finish.
The match itself was a showcase of attacking flair and defensive solidity—qualities that had been sorely lacking in recent weeks. Celtic seized control early, with Hyunjun Yang opening the scoring in the 27th minute. The winger, thriving under O'Neill’s guidance, took a pass from Liam Scales just outside the box, shifted the ball to his right, and drilled a low shot beyond Dundee United’s David Richards. “You still have to score the first goal in the game, Yang [Hyun-jun] takes it magnificently and we get up and running,” O'Neill later told BBC Scotland, beaming with pride at his team’s sharpness.
Just five minutes later, Arne Engels doubled the lead. Kieran Tierney, back to his marauding best at left back, surged forward and delivered a pinpoint square ball. Engels timed his run perfectly, stepping in front of Ross Graham to lash home from ten yards. The Belgian midfielder’s energy and composure were emblematic of a Celtic side playing with renewed confidence and purpose.
Dundee United, managed by Jim Goodwin, were reeling. They had inflicted one of Nancy’s six defeats just 24 days earlier, but here they struggled to lay a glove on the hosts. Their best chance came after Trusty’s defensive error, which allowed Owen Stirton a sight of goal, but Scales recovered brilliantly to snuff out the danger. For the most part, Celtic’s back line was untroubled, and Schmeichel enjoyed one of his quietest afternoons in recent memory.
The second half saw Celtic continue to press their advantage. Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda both came close to extending the lead before Benjamin Nygren, coming off the bench, made it 3-0 in the 64th minute. Engels’ initial effort was blocked, but the ball fell kindly to Nygren, who showed remarkable composure to sit Richards down and chip the ball high into the net for his 11th goal of the season. Five minutes later, Maeda put the result beyond doubt, reacting quickest to a rebound from Tounekti’s shot to sweep home from close range.
Throughout the match, Celtic’s tempo was relentless. The midfield trio of McGregor, Hatate, and Engels dictated play, while the wide men—Yang and Tounekti—stretched Dundee United’s defense to breaking point. Kieran Tierney, named man of the match, was a constant threat on the left, combining defensive discipline with attacking intent. “Kieran Tierney was back to his best at left back in a powerful performance that saw him produce an assist and countless more opportunities while taking care of his defensive duties too,” noted one match report.
O'Neill’s influence was evident not just in the tactical setup, but in the players’ mentality. The squad, bruised by recent setbacks and fan protests, played with freedom and belief. The crowd responded in kind, creating a vibrant atmosphere that O'Neill acknowledged post-match: “The crowd were magnificent. Even moments when we were poor they kept with us. Today was great, there was a nice atmosphere. Now, being in a dog fight for the championship, we need the crowd behind us.”
The victory was more than just three points; it was a statement of intent. Celtic remain behind Hearts and Rangers in the Premiership title race, but this performance suggested they are far from out of contention. As one observer put it, “Celtic banished the Wilfried Nancy error from their collective memory and battered Dundee United. Yang, Engels, Nygren and Maeda netted and reminded everyone the champions are still in the title race—despite their many tribulations.”
Looking ahead, O'Neill knows the job is far from done. The upcoming fixture against Falkirk looms large, billed as a season-defining night that could further galvanize the squad and supporters alike. The question now is whether the board will back O'Neill in the transfer market, with many fans believing the team is still “several good signings away from getting back to former glories.”
For now, though, Celtic fans can savor a dominant display and the return of a manager who knows how to win. The magic of Martin O'Neill is back at Parkhead, and with it, a renewed sense of hope as the title race heats up. The Hoops have sent a message to their rivals: they are down, but certainly not out.
