Manager: Starting with a win was the most important thing

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Celtic F.C.

·3. August 2026

Manager: Starting with a win was the most important thing

One goal was enough to give Martin O’Neill a winning start to season 2026/27, with Benjamin Nygren’s headed finish against Dundee at Celtic Park tonight securing all three points for the champions.

The Hoops dominated the majority of the play and created a number of chances which, on another day, could have resulted in a more convincing scoreline come the final whistle.

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Speaking to CelticPlayer after the match, Martin O’Neill gave his take on the Bhoys’ performance and on the importance of starting the season with a win.

“We won, which is the most important thing.” He said. “I thought we were pretty rusty, although we did create and should have scored a number of goals.

“When you consider the games that we played with high intensity last season, I thought in the first half we didn't have that intensity.

“We had to try and force the issue in the second half, which I think we did and we got the goal.

“Overall, we won. We created a number of chances, but in all honesty, the win was the most important thing.”

You can watch Martin O’Neill’s full post-match interview below.