‘My wife said I’d mess it up’ – O’Neill sails Celtic through choppy waters

After Brendan Rodgers’ agonizing resignation, majority shareholder Dermot Desmond requested Celtic legend Martin O’Neill to make a comeback to Parkhead exactly one month later.

The 73-year-old entered a team that was struggling both on and off the pitch after leaving management for more than six years.

After a 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle and fan protests against the board were in full swing, they were eight points clear of Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Even though one of his closest friends feared he would struggle, O’Neill has managed Celtic to survive the park’s choppy waters.

O’Neill’s fifth win in charge of six games came on Thursday, beating Feyenoord 3-1, making Celtic’s first away win in Europe since November 2021.

With a game in hand, they defeated Rangers to reach the League Cup final next month, moving within four points of Hearts under his leadership.

When asked what he thought when he assumed power, O’Neill responded, “It’s hard to say. My wife said, “I’d probably mess it up, but my two daughters were all for it.”

After Ayase Ueda had given Feyenoord the lead, Yang Hyun-jun and Reo Hatate scored the winning goal, before Benjamin Nygren’s late goal made it a historic victory.

Since 2001, when O’Neill was in charge and they had to knock Ajax out of Champions League qualifying, Celtic have won in the Netherlands.

He said, “We played really well. It was lovely to watch as we were dominant, in charge of the ball, and exuding a lot of confidence during this time.

We could have fallen apart if we had left our intended goal behind. However, we displayed character and perseverance, and when the equalizer arrived, the confidence soared.

You will get a chance to play tonight, I told the players. That risk was taken by us.

In their final three league games, Celtic travel to Roma and Utrecht at home, either on the way to Bologna. They have seven points and sit 21st overall in the 36-team table.

You are looking for 10 or 11 points to qualify, O’Neill continued. Although Celtic have two home games in the pipeline, it won’t be easy.

Wilfried Nancy, the head coach of the Columbus Crew, is close to being chosen as Rodgers’ permanent successor, and O’Neill believes Celtic are well-suited for the appointment of the new head coach, whoever it may be.

O’Neill said, “He has some players who are big winners.” He will probably learn from some of those young players before working with some of the others.

“It’s important to restore confidence, and it’s keeping it going,” he said.

In a show of respect for one of their favorite sons, Celtic fans sang O’Neill’s name during the final moments of Rotterdam.

His efforts to restore the club to winning ways during a difficult time have only strengthened his standing among the supporters. He won seven major awards during his first year as manager.

O’Neill joked, “I told my two brothers who were present at the game that they must have started the chant.” You might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

The young men are stuffed with it in the dressing room.

Luke McCowan, one of those full-of-it lads, was given the task of playing a slightly unfamiliar role out wide in Rotterdam, and O’Neill is credited with giving Celtic the confidence to win the game against Feyenoord.

The midfielder said, “His main message was that if we defend set pieces well, our qualities will take over,” and that was the confidence he gave us.

He is an incredible character, according to Wikipedia. He always pushes us and can scold any serious situation.

He has been a top manager here, which is why he enjoys such high regard. His greatest asset is his classy management.

Celtic may want to look in the future, but perhaps the obvious choice is to star them in the face.

O’Neill’s had a big win on the road in Europe on the big stage with the group of players that were really struggling in Rodgers’ reign’s final weeks and months.

That is not very frequently done by them. And he succeeded in doing it a second time.

Mark: Our best European performance in a long time and Celtic’s best season result. Martin O’Neill, a legend, take a bow.

Peter: Celtic ought to consult Martin on the new manager. For him and the club, wouldn’t that be deserving?

Absolutely fantastic display, Kevin. The king of kings is Martin O’Neill.