MARTIN O’NEILL has been appointed Celtic’s permanent manager twice – exactly TWENTY-SIX years and four days apart.
The popular Irishman was 48 years old when he was lured from unfashionable Leicester City, where he won two League Cups, to transform a Hoops team that had lost its way during two trophyless seasons with Dr Jo Venglos and John Barnes in charge.
The former Liverpool and England star was sacked in the aftermath of the utterly unacceptable 3-1 Scottish Cup loss to Inverness Caley Thistle in February 2000.
FIRST-TIME AROUND…Martin O’Neill greets his new fans at the Celtic Park front door as he arrives from Leicester City in June 2000.
Club legend Kenny Dalglish took temporary charge to guide the team to the completion of a rocky campaign and managed to throw in a League Cup following a 2-0 victory over Aberdeen a month after the shocker against the unfancied Highlanders.
O’Neill swept to power, won only the third treble in the club’s history – following a double from the great Scottish Cup in the sixties – in his debut campaign and remained for five years before returning across the border.
A year after leaving Parkhead, the charismatic team chief took over at Aston Villa.
Stiliyan Petrov was one the first players O’Neill signed for the Midlands club at the cost of £6.5million just a couple of months after his arrival.
When it was revealed the 74-year-old had returned to Scotland’s title kings after two interim stints, the ex-Bulgarian international midfielder admitted: “I’m actually surprised – I thought they would offer Martin O’Neill a different role, a more relaxed one.
“But with his management skills and record for major honours, he has justified his appointment. I hope and wish him all the best for the next season.
“Martin O’Neill is Martin O’Neill.
“He’ll feel about 102 by the time that year flies past! But with a one-year deal, they just want to stabilise the club. The last couple of months, he has shown why he’s been such a great character.”
SALUTE…Martin O’Neill acknowledges the Celtic support after the champions’ crucial 3-2 victory over Motherwell at Parkhead on May 13 on the way to the 2025/26 title.
Petrov, speaking to Sky Sports, continued: “I’ve followed Robbie Keane’s managerial career and he’s done really well.
“But when you compare him with O’Neill, you have that maturity with O’Neill, who agreed to continue with this team.
“There was no doubt about it. He was always going to be the first choice if he agreed to it and showed the same energy and determination to work for this great club.
“Complicity, motivation, man management, this is everything that he’s done in his career. He’s a great motivator, he demands very high performances from every single player.
“He keeps everything simple. He trusts his staff. When you have that, you have a manager with a pedigree where only one thing can be achieved – the best.”
Petrov added: “He knows the challenges and the need to add quality, strong characters and big players who can win games.
“I hope Celtic have learned their lessons, because Rangers will be stronger next season, Hearts will try to push again.
“Celtic need to have a strong team in Europe and domestically. Last season, they got away with it. Next season will be a big challenge.”
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