Martin O’Neill – “He has enhanced his standing as one of the all-time club greats,” Chris Sutton

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The Celtic Star

·29. November 2025

Martin O’Neill – “He has enhanced his standing as one of the all-time club greats,” Chris Sutton

Chris Sutton on why with every passing victory magic Martin O’Neill will leave Wilfried Nancy with a Celtic team with a bit more belief and confidence but it also puts a bit of pressure on Wilfried Nancy to hit the ground running…

Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Feyenoord and Celtic FC at De Kuip on November 27, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Writing in his weekly newspaper column this morning the former Celtic striker admits that while he started off being concerned that Martin O’Neill could damage his legacy at Celtic by helping the club in its hour of need, stepping in as interim manager after Brendan Rodgers was removed and ahead of next week’s arrival of new boss Wilfried Nancy, and has ended up accepting that his old Celtic boss has ended up enhancing his standing even further among the Celtic support.

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“I said a few weeks ago I was worried about Martin O’Neill sticking around too long as it could tarnish his Celtic legacy. My point still stands but as he prepares to step down, if anything he has enhanced his standing as one of the all-time club greats,” Sutton stated via Daily Record.

“What a job he’s done over the last four weeks or so. He’ll admit himself it’s not been perfect but to win five out of six going into Sunday was some going in the circumstances. You look back at the environment he walked into and the constant backdrop of fan unrest. Yet he’s defeated (the)Rangers to set up a (Premier Sports) League Cup Final, he’s cut the gap on Hearts at the top of the Premiership and he’s giving Celtic a fighting chance of progressing in Europe.

Martin O’Neill during the Premier Sports Cup Semi Final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on November 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“You simply could not ask for more. O’Neill won’t be resting on any laurels either. He’s preparing for one final hurrah at Hibs but I know he’ll be worried about this one. Not from a personal point of view, or making sure he goes out on a high. It’s not an ego thing with him. It’s about doing his best for the club – as it has been for the last month.<

“He’ll just know Hibs could arguably be a tougher game than Feyenoord the other night and he’ll be determined to keep the momentum going for Wilfried Nancy taking charge.”

“That means taking three points against Hibs tomorrow to reduce the Hearts lead to just two point with Celtic having a game in hand, that after Hearts dropped a further two points at Fir Park this afternoon against Motherwell.

Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy celebrates with his team following an MLS soccer match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on July 12, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

Celtic has three Scottish Premiership games over the next week. Martin O’Neill will take charge tomorrow, then hand the reins to Wilfried Nancy who will have home games against Dundee and Hearts. Three wins and Celtic are top.

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