Gordon Strachan on Martin O’Neill and the unfolding title race

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The Celtic Star

·29 January 2026

Gordon Strachan on Martin O’Neill and the unfolding title race

Gordon Strachan has offered his assessment of Martin O’Neill as the Scottish Premiership title race intensifies, with Celtic locked in a three-way fight against Hearts and the latest Ibrox club…

Martin O’Neill salutes the travelling Celtic support after the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Drawing on his own experience of sustained success at the Hoops, the former Celtic and Scotland manager acknowledged the mounting scrutiny facing O’Neill as the season reaches a decisive stage.

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Celtic currently trail Derek McInnes’ in-form Hearts by six points, leaving little margin for error in the remaining fixtures.

In discussing the unfolding title race, Strachan also revealed his thoughts on the approaches of rival managers McInnes and Danny Rohl and how their teams are shaping the contest.

Martin O’Neill at Tynecastle. Hearts v Celtic, 25 January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou.

Speaking via Daily Record, Strachan said: “They all know the game in different ways. Martin, because of the way he thinks about the game, the way he does it, his man-management, you can see the difference when he goes in. He’s clever at seeing the basics of things.

“I think over the years, Celtic have been able to score wonder goals; they’re not able to do that just now, so they’ll have to stick in there and grind it out until they find that period where they can get it, but Hearts have got all those ingredients.”

“Going back to Martin, common-sense football, but I would have a look at Sunday, I know it’s hard to play at Tynecastle, but over the years, Celtic have managed to do it. Sunday, they’re probably happy with a draw.”

Celtic face FC Utrecht this evening in the Europa League knowing a victory takes O’Neill’s men into the knockout playoffs of the competition.

A draw or a defeat would spell the end for the Hoops in Europe, but the Scottish champions are heavy favourites as their Dutch opponents are on a terrible run of form.

Already out of the competition, there is a chance that FC Utrecht could finish bottom of the 36-team format if they lose at Celtic Park.

The Dutch side will be backed by a sizeable travelling support this evening who are bound to make a considerable noise, perhaps leaving the Celtic support – without the Green Brigade due to the disgraceful ongoing ban imposed by the Celtic Board – out-sung in our own stadium.

Conor Spence

And a quick reminder…

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All Books Now Half Price in the Celtic Star Books January Sale…

These books now available at at HALF PRICE in our January sale – click on image to order…

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Please note that p&p is priced at £4.50 is only charged on ONE book so you can buy as many of our books as you like and the postage cost will remain the same. Why not expand your Celtic library today?