Martin O’Neill has revealed he has had to adapt to the demands and pressures of the modern game in his second and third spells in charge of Celtic.
The Hoops head into the closing stages of the campaign in impressive form after Sunday’s Glasgow Derby victory extended their winning run to six matches across all competitions — their strongest set of results since the latter part of 2024 under Brendan Rodgers.
Several of the squad’s leading figures, including Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston, have delivered standout performances in recent weeks as the Hoops continue their pursuit of a remarkable Premiership and Scottish Cup double.
Martin O’Neill believes the players deserve enormous praise for maintaining their focus and consistency during a demanding period of the season, particularly amid continued changes behind the scenes.
“It would reflect nicely on the team,” he said via The Herald. “I do genuinely think it would reflect on the team to show a bit of character when they could have thought, ‘Listen, we’ve just had another manager. How many managers are we in?’.”
The interim boss also reflected on the growing influence of players in modern football, while insisting leadership remains essential within any dressing room.
“We’ve seen the rise of player power and whatever, but I still think they need a boss,” O’Neill stated. “I don’t care what you say.”
Drawing comparisons with events at Real Madrid earlier this season, O’Neill suggested even elite clubs can struggle when authority shifts too heavily towards star names.
“You have seen numerous occasions recently, Real Madrid, for example, where player power ousted a very talented manager,” he added. “But deep down, when players leave the training ground, they need someone in charge.”
While acknowledging football management has evolved significantly over the years, O’Neill believes he has still managed to provide the guidance required during Celtic’s strong finish to the campaign.
“I suppose, to some extent, I’ve been in charge,” he said. “Maybe not in the same manner as I was way back.”
O’Neill believes his experience still allows him to understand players and the emotional flow of matches, although the former Celtic manager admits the modern game has forced him to adapt more than ever during his latest spell in charge.
More than 20 years on from his first tenure at Celtic Park, the 74-year-old says football’s tactical evolution — particularly the emphasis on building from the back — has required him to rethink aspects of his own approach.
“I think I can read players,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve lost that. I think I know what players feel during the course of games, and that doesn’t change.
“Those sorts of things I can bring. But if you’re asking about the last five months or whatever it is, I’m the one who’s learning, believe it or not, at 74.”
O’Neill also questioned some of the modern game’s tactical trends, suggesting teams can sometimes take unnecessary risks in dangerous areas of the pitch.
“Various tactical things,” he explained. “There seems to be an overemphasis on playing out now and taking big risks. I sometimes think the risks you take should be in the final third rather than your own. But I am adjusting.”
With Celtic’s league campaign set to be decided over the next 10 days, the Irishman acknowledged his reflections on returning to the dugout will ultimately depend on whether the club can deliver silverware.
“I actually think I have enjoyed it. It’s a kind of renaissance, something that won’t happen again,” he said. “You’re out of the game, watching on the periphery.
“Suddenly, you are back in again. For all I talk about not enjoying it, people know what I mean. I probably have. I’ve enjoyed working with the players and the coaches; it does give you a lift.”
However, the Celtic boss made clear that sentiment alone will not define his second spell at the club.
“The next 10 days will determine how you reflect on it,” O’Neill added. “If we don’t win anything, I won’t take any great pleasure out of my time here.”
The memories of Fir Park in 2005 still linger heavily around O’Neill’s Celtic story. Another decisive visit to Motherwell now awaits — with the opportunity either to rewrite history or relive it once more.
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