“I’ve been assured of it by the board. The new man will come in,” Martin O’Neill | OneFootball

Well it was certainly fun while it lasted but Martin’s O’Neill’s outstanding, magnificent return to manage Celtic on an interim basis will definitely end tomorrow night after the post-match formalities conclude…

Today Martin O’Neill was named as the Scottish Premiership manager of the month for November. Tomorrow Martin will be looking for the three points to go out with yet another victory.  Here’s everything that was said this afternoon at Martin’ farewell media conference. Oh and Martin, thank you.

Q: Martin, I appreciate questions on your future are becoming a bit repetitive perhaps…

Martin O’Neill: “Can I interrupt you? You will be relieved to know that this is definitely it for tomorrow evening. So yeah, I’ve been assured of it by the board. 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.”

Q: How do you feel about that?

Martin O’Neill: “Yeah, that was the remit coming in to do it, whether it was going to last two weeks or five or six weeks, that was always going to be the case. So yeah, I’ve got no complaints at all.”

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

Q: There’s clarity as well then this time, if it seems that you’re sure of it, you know what you’re walking into, you know this is where it’s going tomorrow night?

Martin O’Neill: “I think that’s absolutely great. Yeah, so it’s not a continuation. A young gentleman’s coming in, and it’s over to him. But we’ve got the big, big game here tomorrow evening and I’d obviously 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.”

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)

Q: I know you’ve been keen to not make it about you, but I do think the fans will enjoy the opportunity to say goodbye at home. Is that something you think you will enjoy when it comes round to it?

Martin O’Neill: “Listen, this idea that you push everything to the side and say it’s not about you, every manager, everybody has an ego of some description, and mine is probably bigger than most. But it’s about trying to win the game, really, and whatever comes or goes after that. I just think the nice thing about the players is that they have responded and they have shown a willingness to try and implement some of the things that I think are important about the game. That’s really it. And some have maybe even been reluctant to do it, I don’t know. But no, I’m joking. They’ve been great, obviously, 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, so that and those games are really important to them. But no, their response has been terrific.”

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

Q: Martin, are you the emotional type? Do you see yourself getting emotional tomorrow night?

Martin O’Neill: “Me? No, I’m not at all. And I was asked this question yesterday, and no. If we could get a result, if we can, I would just reprimand my wife for saying that she thought I would mess it all up.”

Q: What does it look like for you, what the board told you happens after Wednesday? Are you going to speak to the incoming manager about your thoughts on the squad, where they’re at, everything like that? Is there a handover at all?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, that’s a very good point. I have no objection to him coming in and asking me my opinion, and it will be an opinion, it won’t be advice. And yeah, of what I have seen in the last number of weeks, and if he chooses to ask me, I would have no problem with it. I certainly wouldn’t be putting any demands on him. You know, he’s got a job on now. He will be focusing on himself and his own particular staff and his own manner of coaching and his own personality. So all of those things, he won’t need my help in that sense. But if he was looking for an opinion, I’ve got no problem giving it.”

Martin O’Neill interim manager of Celtic Midtjylland vs Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 06 November 2025Herning MCH Arena Denmark Photo Michael Zemanek Shutterstock IMAGO

Q: If I was to ask you now, what do you think this team needs for the rest of the season?

Martin O’Neill: “Oh, no, no, I will let him ask me. No, I’ll save it for later.”

Q: You do feel that, I mean, since you’ve come, winning so many games, the team have closed the gap at the top, and then the cup final coming up, there’s a chance to go through in Europe as well. Do you think this can be a really successful season, silverware-wise, for the team?

Martin O’Neill: “Of course, yeah. In recent seasons, I think that Celtic, at this time of the year, would probably be well in front in the league. They would have things to concentrate on. Like last season, it was great because they had the Champions League, and they could put a bit of focus on that. Domestically, when teams were dropping off, that was great news for them. But here, we’ve been chasing, trying to chase Hearts down. And Hibs, who showed on Sunday, I know it was quickly after the Thursday night game, but Kasper Schmeichel’s made a big save for us again at an important stage. We’ve got the goals. What I think I said on Sunday, and I still say it now, is that we showed a bit of durability and a bit of resilience in a game in which, just after the penalty, could have gone against us.”

Martin O’Neill. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Q: You talked about your impressions of the squad when you arrived from afar. How much has that changed since you’ve been in amongst them and since this process has gone on?

“Martin O’Neill: When I was watching Celtic from afar, as you mentioned, I didn’t… 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, I thought from afar that the captain was a really good player. I didn’t realise how good he is. And those types of things, I think, help. Some players who have played almost every single minute of games here have been absolutely outstanding for us. And then you’re getting to know some players. And I said to some of the lads that… I mean, Michel-Ange Balikwisha hasn’t played under me. The next manager could step in, play him and find out he could be the best. There’s the point. And I’ve made that point to him. The incoming manager will have maybe a difference of opinion or a difference of opinion on some players that I would have. That does not mean I’m right.”

Martin O’Neill, Interim Manager of Celtic, reacts 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)

Q: I remember when you told us that when Dermot Desmond spoke to you, he basically said you’ve got 10 minutes to decide. Are you pleased that you actually said in those 10 minutes, yes, given where you’ve taken the team?

Martin O’Neill: “Yes, well, I asked for an hour when he mentioned the 10 minutes and I took 45 minutes. But yes, I’m delighted, obviously. I said on Sunday, it was the fear of failing that was a concern. But if you don’t take the opportunity, it’ll never be presented to you again. And the opportunity to come back here and manage 25 years after I started was remarkable, really, in that sense. So, yes, delighted. Delighted that he asked me back. And up until today, I’m delighted with the outcome.”

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)

Q: Is there any disappointment at all that you won’t be leading the team out of the cup final?

“Martin O’Neill: No. You might think I’m just saying that to you, but no, not really. Again, I get back to the point, I’m delighted to have the number of games I had. There was a point when I thought maybe that they might even make the decision in the international window. So, I’ve got these games. I think for us to win in Feyenoord was big. This does sound really patronising. I just think a result like that there for Scottish football helps as well too. I always seem to be thinking of that there, way back in my time. My first time as a manager, particularly when we beat Blackburn and Liverpool. Those were good nights. And so, you always feel as if the results in Europe, for any of the Scottish clubs, would be good news for us because the coefficient is dropping like a stone at the moment. So, those things can help. But domestically, I’m every bit as delighted.”

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)

Q: Just on Scottish football, Martin, if you do have that conversation with Wilfred Nancy, what would be the biggest take that you could give him in terms of what he can expect, both from the league and indeed at the club?

Martin O’Neill: “Well it would be unfair of me to give you that answer when I didn’t tell this young gentleman here? And there’s no way that I’m going to answer that there. You asked first, young man. And so, exactly. So, buzz off!”

Q: But in terms of the job, people talk about the enormity of the club. People talk about the enormity of the club for someone who’s coming in from Transatlantic?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, I think the first thing you should do is just check the history of the club. For instance, when I went to Wycombe Wonders, I knew that Wycombe Wonders were a really top-class amateur team who I think had played in an amateur final in front of a very, very big crowd at Wembley round about the time I was born. So, I kind of knew these things. And I think it’s your job to find out a bit of history of the football club. So, I’m not teaching him his job. He’ll know that and I’m sure he’ll have done that.”

Martin O’Neill arrives after the announcement that former Celtic Manager was returning to the club as interim manager, following yesterday’s surprise resignation of Brendan Rodgers, at Celtic Park on October 28, 2025 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Q: What does the future hold for you?

Martin O’Neill: “I really don’t know. Honestly, I really don’t know. I’ll have time to think about it. I will have a few days and see how it goes. Maybe it’s my last opportunity to say that the coaching staff have been terrific for me and to me here. While I can do what I want, really, it would be nice to see those boys find their coaching ability, which has been really terrific, somewhere, if it’s not with the incoming manager, who I’m sure will have his own squad. And quite rightly so. He’ll have his own people because that’s the way he would want to do it. But, yeah. We’ll see. I’ll see.”

Q: I think you mentioned about Callum McGregor, how impressive he’s been. Every manager that has worked with him says that, he stands out from the rest. What is it about him that stands out from the rest?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, I’ve had different types of captains. Paul Lambert was a really great captain here for me. And I’ve had Gareth Barry at Aston Villa. I’ve had a number of characters. And, obviously, at Leicester, a boy called Steve Walsh, a really great captain. All in their own way. But Callum, not only does he lead by example, but he is vociferous as well, too. And he has got the utmost respect from all of the team. The utmost respect. And that goes for all of us here in the club.”

Martin O’Neill at Celtic Park on October 28, 2025 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Q: Just to ask about team news, are there any changes for the weekend?

Martin O’Neill: “Well, we’ll have a look now. Kieran Tierney’s foot, or his toe, is getting better. He got the toenail removed, which was pretty sore for him. But he did get an injection. And each day it’s getting a bit better. And, yes, with the players that we have, obviously, the long-term injuries are still there. And that’s not going to change for the next couple of months. But, yes, we’re going as strongly as we can.

Watch Martin O’Neill’s last pre-match media conference ahead of tomorrow evening’s Celtic v Dundee match  below…