GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 10: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill and Rangers Head Coach Danny Rohl shake hands pre-match during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on May 10, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
News that Martin O’Neill is about to sign a one year contract to manage Celtic has been met with despair from Ibrox fans.
The Irishman is the ultimate bogey man to a generation of bears that thought the world revolved around Sir Dave and his Little General.
At the turn of the century everything in the Ibrox garden was rosy.
Under Murray and Advocaat a European Cup win was only a matter of time with two titles won on their way to 10-in-a-row.
Then they faced a quirky, charismatic Irishman at Celtic Park in August 2000.
Three down inside 15 minutes, the final score was 6-2 and the lives of the smug bears was turned upside down. More than they could ever have imagined.
Sure they beat Celtic 5-1 at Ibrox in November but that team included Ronald de Boer and Tore Andre Flo.
They started out with the Discount Option Scheme which ran up a still unpaid bill to HMRC of £2.7m.
Murray followed that up by disguised remuneration dressed up as EBT’s. In May 2011 the Empire was sold for £1, a year later it was no more. Into liquidation.
O’Neill’s arrival at Celtic was the catalyst for the joys of 2012 and beyond.
Not many bears will admit it but those that watched the period 2000-2005 know the truth.
That’ll ducking do me ???? pic.twitter.com/xJSU0hVBc9
— Blakey (@TrebelQuad) June 5, 2026
O’NEILL STRIKES FLASHBACKS OF FEAR ACROSS IBROX
O’Neill had been back at Celtic less than a week when he schooled Danny Rohl in the League Cup semi-final.
The geeky German mastered Wilfried Nancy to restore legend status, then came two matches against Celtic.
Before the SPFL match Rohl started to blab about Kasper Schmeichel and being surprised that Celtic didn’t try to beat Stuttgart by more than one goal.
O’Neill smiled, took note. ‘Oh did he’ he replied when told about the comments of Rohl.
Celtic’s recovery from 2-0 down to take a point burst the Rohl bubble. They returned a week later with the reserve side to win a Scottish Cup shoot-out. Joel Mvuka made his second and last appearance.
With three SPFL matches left to play O’Neill inspired Celtic to a 3-1 victory. Daizen Maeda took the title of the greatest ever Glasgow Derby overhead kick.
The Ibrox fans were crushed. They can’t stand Rohl, his tactics and mannerisms. Soon, like with Russell Martin they will question the dubious nature of Rohl’s hair.
And early next season Rohl will be in the away dug-out at Celtic Park. To his left, that man O’Neill.
He gives them “the broon sweats”.
It will only work if he is allowed to recruit some players to fill the already obvious gaps in our squad, never mind replacing the likely departures of the key players who somehow dragged us over the line. If recruitment is of a similar standard to the January window then next season is giving me The Fear already.
The Jerry only one two of his last six cup finals at end of season talks more shite than a hundred knuckledragger.
Rohl’s hair is like a helmet – a German helmet.
How apt.
If you think the followers of the tribute act are panicking and suffering constipation like symptoms …just think how the SMSM scoops and affiliates are feeling ? Jeez ! That mob were pinning their hopes on Celtic hiring Robbie Keane as next head coach as that was their ticket to the title ! Now with Martin O’Neill back as boss they all know he has every angle covered as far as Herr Rohl is concerned . The master against the novice flunkie ! No need to be concerned about McInnes . He had his big chance and blew it playing against Celtic and the biggest crisis to engulf the club in a generation ! He’s such a loser coach that his top players are already gone or are about to leave Hearts . It’s not a great endorsement from the dressing room for his ‘ skills ‘ as a head coach ..is it ?