IT CREPT in with the merest whisper and went out with an almighty roar.
Celtic’s 2025/26 campaign will go down in the Hoops’ Hall of Fame as one of the most extraordinary in the club’s proud history.
Written off and dismissed, the Parkhead men simply refused to roll over – and completed an unforgettable crusade with a league and Cup double.
CQN continues to tell the absorbing tale in our EXCLUSIVE series of how Martin O’Neill, who twice answered SOS calls from his old club, manoeuvred Celtic through a minefield to achieve the impossible dream of a fifth successive title.
Please enjoy!
WELCOME BACK, MARTIN…the returning interim boss guides Celtic to a 4-0 win over Falkirk at Parkhead.
NOVEMBER 2025
MARTIN O’NEILL had no alternative but to hit the ground running after agreeing to take over Celtic as Brendan Rogers’ succesor in an interim capacity.
The charismatic Irishman celebrated his comeback to the club with a 4-0 league win over Falkirk and four days later he was catapulted into a Premier Sports League Cup semi-final showdown with Rangers at Hampden.
In his six outings in November, O’Neill was successful in five with the only reverse coming in Denmark when the team succumbed to a 3-1 Europa League loss to FC Midtjylland.
Three days earlier, Irish eyes were smiling as goals from Johnny Kenny, captain Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand gave the holders a 3-1 extra-time triumph over Danny Rohl’s Ibrox outfit to set up a grand finale with St Mirren in mid-December.
Moments after the final whistle, O’Neill reflected: “I’m delighted, relieved and extremely happy to win the game.
“To win against Rangers, as well, I genuinely couldn’t be more pleased with the team.
“I could sense the players’ intensity before the game and true to their word they really went at it.
“I thought we were really splendid for long periods, dominating proceedings.
“We have some fine players in the football club, Callum McGregor being one of them, and in extra-time it was a glorious strike – brilliant from a really great player.
HAIL, HAIL…Martin O’Neill acknowledges the Celtic fans at full-time.
“Callum Osmand is coming up through the ranks and he certainly doesn’t lack confidence. He wants to get at people and all of us will be encouraging that.”
Looking at the big picture, O’Neill continued: “I’m really grateful. I’ve always said that it’s a privilege to manage Celtic.
“If you had asked me last Sunday, I’d have told you I’d be watching this game on television, so from that viewpoint it’s enormous.
“To be back amongst it again, it definitely did bring me back.”
The charismatic gaffer, who won seven trophies in his original five years at the club after arriving in the summer of 2000, added: “For us to win against Rangers was terrific and now we’re in a Final.
“I genuinely didn’t know the Final was in December time!
“It was great, the crowd were fantastic and I appreciate it and have genuine warmth for it all.”
PICK IT OUT…Callum Osmand fires the final goal past a startled Jack Butland in Celtic’s 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final extra-time derby win on November 2.
Following the disappointment in Denmark, it was back to picking up precious league points as the champions played catch-up on pacesetters Hearts.
The Hoops were ruthless against a visiting Kilmarnock side as they romped to a 4-0 success with Kenny, Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels (pen) and Kieran Tierney – with his first goal for the club in over six years – claiming the strikes.
