Martin O’Neill returns to Celtic as interim manager alongside Shaun Maloney

TBH Maloney strikes me as a very good assistant manager. I don't think he has got the personality, character or stature to be a manager, hope I am not doing him an injustice, but I see him as a good assistant manager, and I much prefer him to John Kennedy.

You can have a very good footballing career as an assistant manager. If the shoe fits wear it.

 

This is where I am, are we more or less likely to win the league with a new manager vs O'Neill.

 

It's a toss up I think.

Still, I would rather be in Heart's position than ours. It's theirs to toss away now, but I don't see them faltering much, they almost beat St.Mirren away from home, and St.Mirren are a big, strong, physical, talented team.

I think we are going to be in a three way tug of war all year with Hearts and Rangers.

 

Would quite like this idea too unless we are seriously interested in Knutsen.

If we let nostalgia get in the way we will likely miss our chance.

With his contract ending in weeks this may he the 1 and only time he's available.

Like the idea of him coming in at end of December so MON gets to win 1 more trophy with us.

 

Callum McGregor admits Martin O’Neill has completely transformed the mood at Celtic with his trademark positivity.

The Hoops skipper says the legendary boss has reignited the dressing room since his stunning return to the dugout.

Celtic had endured a worrying slump in Brendan Rodgers’ final few months, adding to the toxic atmosphere surrounding the club.

But O’Neill’s shock comeback has sparked a revival, with back-to-back wins over Falkirk and Rangers restoring belief among players and fans alike.

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McGregor was left gutted by the nature of Rodgers’ exit but insists O’Neill has galvanised the champions after a turbulent campaign.

The captain said: "He's been great. Someone with huge experience and has been around the block so many times. A really calm influence.

"He was exceptional. He asked for the intensity from the players and I think in the first-half, you could see.

"We pretty much won every duel, every first ball, every second ball. We were excellent. He was a big part of that. A real calm head.

"He asked us to go and play, believe in yourself and you'll go and win the game. So he's been excellent.

"You want to work with top, top managers and he's someone who has been around the block a fair few times.

"His experience, he's managed at such a high level. He's come in and just pumped everyone full of confidence.

"The players feel good. They want to run, fight and that's exactly what you need in this game. He's been excellent since he's come in."

 

Martin O'Neill needed to make a last-minute trip London and retrieve his passport ahead of a Europa League trip with Celtic.

The Northern Irishman completed a shock managerial return to the Hoops last week as interim boss after Brendan Rodgers suddenly left the club.





O'Neill, who won three Scottish titles as Celtic manager from 2001 to 2004, has been victorious in both matches on his return.

Celtic beat Falkirk 4-0 in the Scottish Premiership before a 3-1 victory against rivals Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals.

Next up is a trip to Danish side Midtjylland, who sit top of the Europa League league phase with three wins from three.

And after being caught up in the business of his Celtic stint, O'Neill needed to collect some vital documentation for Thursday's match.





What are you doing back in London?" Jim White asked on talkSPORT. "You've got a game in Denmark on Thursday."

"Remarkable," O'Neill replied. "I was in such haste to get up there to Scotland last Tuesday, that I had not got my passport.






So I had to come down and bring my passport up, otherwise I do not get into Denmark."

O'Neill, who revealed his shock at returning to Celtic, gave more of an insight into his first few days back at the club







I was looking for another word, like a synonym, for surreal, but I can't really find it. It's been really strange," O'Neill said.

"I walk out of your programme last Monday, minding my own business, and here I am a week later having managed Celtic again after 20-odd years for two games. It is really surreal.



Since heading back to Celtic Park, O'Neill has insisted that he is only there on an interim basis and won't succeed Rodgers permanently.





He reiterated this stance when asked if shareholder Dermot Desmond had more of a 'persuasive tone' when they spoke on Sunday.

"Absolutely not," he insisted.

"We never mentioned anything about it. I think the board will have some time in the international break, players are away for a fortnight.

"I would imagine that they... I mean, I'm quite sure that they would have thoughts in their head about who they might want to take over.

"I don't know that, I haven't discussed that with them, and that seriously, Jim, remains the position.





O'Neill also said that he would not be part of the selection process for the new permanent Celtic manager.

"Absolutely not," he added. "I've never been in a selection programme ever with Dermot Desmond at Celtic, never once.






And I'm quite sure if he had ever asked me in those 20 years, I probably would have sent him in a totally different and very worrying direction, so there we go.








They've had great success, that will continue in that sense, but I will have nothing at all to do with the new manager coming in."

 

You can certainly see everything McGregor says there in how we have played these past 2 games. Its been great to watch.

 

Different energy in the last few games

 

Went with "Naw too auld and maloney is too inexperienced"

MON is and absolute celtic legend, But at 73 his health and wellbeing matter more than a quick fix for the current team.

Maloney is Inexperienced which doesnt really matter when you have MON as the focal point.

When it comes to MON we have to be careful of being selfish and protect him as the treasure he is.

 

Only failure is hibs he kept Wigan up after a points deduction don’t know why he left their really


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What happened at Hibs?

 

Took over after transfer window closed and got sacked after a string of defeats.

Very unfair but he had Hibs attempting to play a style of football they weren't close to good enough to do, which was pretty naive.

 

I think the board hire Martin to sell the new range of trackies. I bet they fly off the shelves now the sly *.

 

The Celtic job I would imagine is a huge strain on a man. Not sure Martin would want that long term. Just wish we’d brought him back years ago.

 

Thanks.

 

And what of it? Every penny gets invested back into the club dontchano.

 

Be more than happy for them both to have the job till end of the season and then get in 'the guy' whoever that may be.

 

Last week he had no intentions of taking in on but you can tell now he wants it for the rest of the season. He’ll get it too as it’s an easy one for the board. I’d still rather we had someone in sooner rather than later as we will just need to start it all again in the summer. But from how it’s went so far I wouldn’t be against it too much.

 

Voted yes till the end of the season. Don't see any need to upset momentum for the sake of it. After the turgid start to the season he (THEY, coaching staff are a big part in this) has come in and injected life and confidence into the squad. I say we need to ride that all the way.

Revisit our options after the man bags another Treble.

 

Voted the same.. An absolute legend that could really galvanise this team. But his age is a concern. I'd be more concerned for his health than anything, it's a tough gig and this season is going to be an absolute battle