BOLOGNA, ITALY - JANUARY 22: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill waves to the travelling Celtic fans at full time during a UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna and Celtic at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, on January 22, 2026, in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has confirmed the worst fears of Celtic supporters.
After 16 days of silence the Irishman is back at work pretending that his self reflection comment was overblown outside the Celtic bubble.
Between references to his 110th birthday and fictional conversations about Mick Jagger O’Neill had some telling comments to make after losing his third match in eight days.
Home defeats to Ferencvaros and Derek McInnes’ side confirmed the fears of early season trending.
Celtic are horrific, a team in reverse without shape, pattern or any semblance of training, preparation and tactics.
Of course Celtic’s media partners weren’t going to ask probing questions after the September 20 defeat.
O’Neill slipped off after declaring his plan to self reflect. Clearly he hasn’t been offered a pay off from the club.
Their favourite human shield is back in place.
After three successive defeats his side faces Motherwell, Benfica, Hearts and Celta Vigo.
Unless there is a spectacular turnaround next week Celtic enters Wilfried Nancy territory.
@CelticFC @Celtic_Player Money over legacy
The most dangerous game of Mon’s managerial career has just been reset
U had ur chance to knock it back in the summer
U had ur chance to step down now in sep/OctSold a dummy by the board
The next 5 games will make or break his legacy
Like it or not https://t.co/i6rphaITRl
— ?FoxyGreen? (@Danz6wtv) October 6, 2026
LOSING RESPECT WITH EVERY COMMENT- GOODWILL RUNNING OUT ON O’NEILL
O’Neill’s interview offered nothing positive. A typical box ticking exercise from Celtic.
O’Neill waffled on saying nothing in particular.
There were a few asides delivered reminding viewers that Celtic are top of the league. They may well be in second place when they start their next match.
The nine matches before the November international break look ‘challenging’ at best.
Celtic are eight days away from facing Benfica in Lisbon. Benfica are better than LASK and Ferencvaros, earlier this season they beat Hearts 6-1.
Even a decent Celtic side would struggle away to Benfica. The current side is in no way decent, far from it.
Results are far from the only problem facing O’Neill.
Nominated by the club for media duties Callum McGregor, Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers have been critical of tactics or contradicted their manager.
O’Neill’s legacy won’t be tarnished. His well of goodwill has run dry.
With the anniversary of Brendan Rodgers resigning a few weeks away his successor is in the spotlight.
With every media appearance it is clear that O’Neill’s time as Celtic manager is as good as over.
I wish it was over. I have no time fot O’Neill now. His gags have worn thin and it is clear that he hasn’t got a clue how to remedy any of this and neither has Maloney. It is clear his decision is purely down to money. This season is going to be one major fuck up.
Good God…..is he still around, sorry Joe but this isn’t going to end well for him, club or us.
To suggest the next few games will make or break MON’s legacy just puts us in moon howling Sevco territory.
The man is a hero for what he did first time around and will forever remain so.
And literally only weeks ago he pulled off an absolute miracle with a double from pure ashes.
As far as I’m concerned his legacy is secure and without question, and a couple of defeats to Sevco and out of the CL just doesn’t touch it, nor does a few other defeats if they come.
I am actually embarrassed when I read this kinda stuff.
This does not affect what the man has done for the club in the past, we don’t live in the past like Sevco.
Maybe we, the supporters, don’t live in the past but the club certainly does when it comes to merchandising. Forever milking the legacy of the Lisbon Lions and now Henrik Larsson. If there is money to be made from any success in Celtic’s past this board will manage to find and exploit it.
we will ,lose the next 4 games , this has got to be just as worse as last year , no tactics no nothing just 11 strangers passing it backwards slowing play down ,wingers that are useless and defenders who can’t defend , fk knows what they do at training all week but it’s got nothing to do with football
Martin O’Neill has declared his intentions for the rest of the season …what about the board …and specifically Dermot Desmond ? What are his intentions for the rest of the season ….and beyond ? It would be a huge help for us fans if the ‘big boss man ‘ were to declare what are the priorities and demands and requirements for the season ahead in a very valuable and beneficial interview without the severe editing and soft questioning from a nodding dog scoop reporter ? Tell the truth …and nothing but the truth to the fans who deserve nothing less ! A’stick with us ‘ message at the very least from DD would go a long way to reassure fans that there will be complete determination from the board about success this season ….and further on ? From every conceivable vantage point ! That ought not to be too difficult for the ‘chief of chiefs ‘ to organise ? A short 15 minute sit down explaining in detail what the plan is for the next 8 months of football for Celtic FC ! About the same amount of time to play one hole at say… Pebble Beach golf course in Monterey County in California ?