“The whole Celtic family will be extremely worried at this time,” Stephen Welsh | OneFootball

Former Celt Stephen Welsh gave his reaction to the news that broke yesterday afternoon that Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was in hospital undergoing a minor procedure and would be out in a day or two…

Celtic Manager Martin O Neill. Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 3 August 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock

That news has caused concern and an outpouring of admiration for the legendary Celtic manager who came back last season in Celtic’s hour of need to deliver the Scottish Premiership title and also the Scottish Cup.

“It came as a shock when I heard the news. I heard through my agent what was going on,” Stephen Welsh stated, as reported by Daily Record.

“The whole Celtic family will be extremely worried at this time. He’s not normal in the sense that he’s 74 and he’s still managing one of the biggest clubs in the world. That doesn’t really happen.

“I’m sure he’ll be pulling through and he’ll be fine and he’ll get back in the dugout as soon as possible. I’m sure he’ll be okay and I’m sure he’ll be raring to go for hopefully another successful season for the boys.”

“He’s one of kind, he was my Dads idol, and I got to play under him,” former Celtic star Stephen Welsh said.

After the recent revelation that Martin O’Neill was admitted to hospital, albeit for minor procedure, it has naturally led to many names in the footballing world sending the 74 year-old Irishman nothing but their best wishes, with one former Celt explaining his pride of playing under the iconic Celtic manager.

Stephen Welsh who recently left the club for Swansea City was high in his praise for the Irishman, even though he was only months old when Martin joined the club in the summer of 2000, and had just finished his first year in primary school when Martin left the club after five successful years.

Stephen Welsh of Celtic celebrates his goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on July 31, 2022. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Stephen who had an impressive loan spell at Motherwell last year, came through the Celtic youth ranks, and 70 appearances for his boyhood heroes, winning serval honours, whilst playing under several talented managers such as Neil Lennon, Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers.

The Coatbridge born centre back may only have worked under the legendary Celtic for a short period in between his loan stint at Fir Park last January, but Stephen spoke of his delight at getting to work with the Irishman, who he revealed was an idol of his father.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill arrives at the ground ahead of kick off in the Celtic v AC Milan in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

The lifelong hoops supporter added: “His wee one-liners are brilliant in team meetings. He’s a great man manager and lets the leaders of the team get on with it in the changing room.”

“If he feels like he’s got something to say he’ll say it. I’m not sure what he was like towards the end of the season but with the videos in the changing room and pulling out Chelo who created the goals to win us the league, that’s a good thing.

“It’s very weird as a Celtic fan because he was obviously the manager when my dad was a younger man. Now him ending up managing me must have been a really surreal thing for older Celtic fans to see. But the fact that 23 years later he can come back and do it again kind of says it all.”

23rd May 2026; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish Cup Final Football, Celtic versus Dunfermline; Celtic interim manager Martin ONeill with the trophy.

Welsh is full of admiration for the manner in which Martin O’Neill somehow turned around a Celtic season that was clearly heading for the rocks to deliver an incredible league and cup double in the most dramatic of circumstances.

“The way he came in and just salvaged the season, it definitely gets undermined,” the Swansea City defender said. “Celtic were in a tough place and even from the outside looking in as a footballer, it didn’t look good.

“There wasn’t much cohesion which is the main thing that he brought back. Cohesion within the team and supporters as well. I think he understood that’s the main thing. You need the fans onside. If you don’t have the fans onside you’ll never be successful.

Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic looks on prior to the Scottish Cup Final match between Celtic and Dunfermline at Hampden Park on May 23, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

“So that was the main thing. He got the fans back onside and he ended up being successful through it. At a club like this, there’s no stopping you.”

Shaun Maloney is most likely to be called in to handle the mainstream media duties tomorrow afternoon at Lennoxtown ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Premiership match at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock.

Whether Martin is in the dugout on Sunday remains to be seen but there should be no rush to get him back to work and both Shaun and Mark Fotheringham are more than capable to handle the team management this weekend. Martin should put his feet up and watch the game on TV.

Martin O’Neill in the North Curve’s Celtic tifo. Saturday, 16 May 2026. Celtic 3 Hearts 1. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

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