Celtic icon Martin O'Neill has declared he has cherished every moment of his unexpected return to the Parkhead dugout, as he prepares to take charge of the team for the final time this weekend.
The 73-year-old will oversee his last match as interim boss in tomorrow's clash with Hibernian at Easter Road, before formally handing over the reins to incoming permanent manager Wilfried Nancy early next week.
A Whirlwind Finale for a Parkhead Legend
O'Neill admits the period has been a whirlwind since he answered the call from major shareholder Dermot Desmond to step in following the sudden departure of Brendan Rodgers just a few weeks ago. His short tenure is set to conclude on an emotional high after Celtic fans serenaded him in Rotterdam on Thursday night following a stunning 3-1 Europa League comeback victory against Feyenoord.
When questioned about the club's managerial search, O'Neill confirmed, 'I was speaking to some of the board members last night, things are progressing very nicely, so I’m hoping that things will be in place by the beginning of next week.' He reflected on his deep affection for the role, stating, 'It has been a whirlwind time. If you ask me, deep down, have I loved it? Yeah, I probably have.'
European Revival and a Confident Handover
The victory in the Netherlands, Celtic's first European away win in four years, has ignited a fresh sense of optimism around the club. O'Neill highlighted the team's character, pointing out that 'heads could have easily gone down' after going a goal behind early on, but instead they fought back magnificently.
He believes this has set a positive platform for Nancy, who is currently in Glasgow and is expected to be in the stands at Easter Road ahead of his official unveiling. The 48-year-old Frenchman is set to leave his post at MLS side Columbus Crew to become Rodgers' permanent successor.
'Hopefully, he’ll find a side that is bubbling with a bit of confidence,' O'Neill said of his successor. 'He’ll have a fair idea of what he’s coming into. He doesn’t need any guidance from me.'
O'Neill's Confident Prediction for Celtic's European Future
Looking beyond his own departure, the Northern Irishman expressed strong belief that Celtic will re-establish themselves as a competitive force in European football. He acknowledged recent disappointments against teams like Midtjylland and Ferencvaros but sees the Feyenoord win as a restoration of belief.
'What I think will happen is that Celtic will come back,' O'Neill asserted. 'They will compete properly in Europe. That’s my strong belief and that should be the aim for this football club.' He emphasised that while domestic dominance has been maintained, the standard set by the club's 1967 European Cup win must remain the ultimate benchmark.
With three Europa League group games remaining against Roma, Bologna, and FC Utrecht, O'Neill believes qualification for the knockout stages would be a perfect start to this European resurgence under the new management.
