“It won’t be easy. Dundee did us a few weeks ago,” Martin O’Neill

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The Celtic Star

·3 December 2025

“It won’t be easy. Dundee did us a few weeks ago,” Martin O’Neill

Martin O’Neill commended the Celtic squad for how impressively they responded to his expectations as he readied himself for what he confirmed would be his final match at the helm this evening against Dundee…

Martin O’Neill at Easter Road, Sunday 30 November 2025. Hibs v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The 73-year-old has been informed that Wilfried Nancy will become permanent manager sometime between the upcoming home fixtures against Dundee and Hearts this week.

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Just hours before being appointed interim boss in late October, O’Neill had openly criticised Celtic’s physical approach under Brendan Rodgers and believed the team’s losses to Dundee and Hearts left them in a difficult position in the title race.

Martin O’Neill aiming for seventh win as Celtic’s interim manager

Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill during the Premier League match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

However, the Irishman is aiming to secure his seventh victory in eight matches tonight and ensure Celtic head into Sunday’s top of the table clash against Hearts in excellent form.

He has also guided the Scottish champions to the Premier Sports League Cup final and provided a solid foundation for further advancement in the Europa League after a stunning 3-1 victory against Feyenoord in De Kuip last Thursday.

Speaking at his media conference yesterday afternoon via Celtic’s official YouTube channel, O’Neill said: “I just think the nice thing about the players is that they have responded. They’ve shown a willingness to try and implement some of the things that I think are important about the game.”

Celtic players response has been terrific – Martin O’Neill

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

“They’ve been great and I couldn’t praise them highly enough. But we’ve got one more game to go. For me. They’ve got big, big matches ahead and those games are really important to them, but their response has been terrific.”

“When I was watching Celtic from afar, you can form an opinion about players and then find out that when you’re actually working with them, that’s different, either good or bad. For instance, the captain [Callum McGregor]. I thought from afar that the captain was a really good player. I didn’t realise how good he is. Some players who have played almost every single minute of games here have been absolutely outstanding for us.”

Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney celebrate Celtic’s opening goal during the Premier League match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on October 29, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

O’Neill added: “And then you’re getting to know some players. And I said to some of the lads, I mean [Michel-Ange] Balikwisha hasn’t played under me. The next manager will step in, play him and find out he could be the best – and I’ve made that point to him.”

“And that’s for all of them. The incoming manager will have maybe a different opinion on some players that I would have. That does not mean I’m right.”

O’Neill was originally set to step aside for Nancy following Sunday’s encounter with Hibernian, but administrative complications postponed the French coach’s move from Columbus Crew.

He said: “You’ll be relieved to know that this is definitely it for [Wednesday] evening. I’ve been assured of it by the board.”

Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill during the Premier League match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on October 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“So the new man will come in. I’m not sure in terms of the process, but I know that this is definitely my last game. A young gentleman’s coming in and it’s over to him. But obviously, we’ve got the big, big game here and obviously, I’d like to try and win it if we can.”

“It won’t be easy. Dundee did us a few weeks ago, so we’ve got a bit of a job on our hands.”

Conor Spence

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star