Martin O’Neill ‘Very Special Man’ Says Impressed Celtic Star | OneFootball

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Celtic midfielder Arne Engels has hailed Martin O’Neill as a ‘very special man’, reflecting on the impact the veteran manager has made within the club.

The Bhoys secured the Scottish Premiership title following a dramatic campaign as they sealed the crown with a 3-1 victory against Hearts at Celtic Park on the final matchday.

When O’Neill arrived for his second spell as manager in January, the Glasgow giants were sitting third in the table and trailed Hearts by six points, leaving the club facing a difficult route back into the title conversation.

The Hoops quickly discovered momentum after his appointment and went on a ten-match unbeaten sequence across all competitions, a period that significantly shifted the direction of their season.

Across his 34 matches in charge this season, the former Northern Ireland international has overseen an impressive run that saw Celtic avoid defeat in 30 fixtures and eventually receive silverware.

He also now has the opportunity to complete a domestic double when Celtic face Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday.

Engels stressed the calmness and structure introduced by O’Neill and also the atmosphere that developed around the squad following his arrival.

He further praised the Irishman as a very special individual following the work delivered for both the players and the club.

The 22-year-old told Belgian outlet Sporza: “He and his staff have provided calm, structure, and a good vibe.

“I can only say positive things about him.

“I have no words for what he has done for us and the club.

“He is a very special man.”

O’Neill’s current arrangement at Celtic Park is set to end at the end of the season and speculation continues surrounding whether his stay will be extended or come to a close.

The experienced boss may want to bow out on a high, but he is surely in the box seat for the job for another year if he wants it.

Former Bhoys star Alan Rough has pointed out that O’Neill could still provide value at board level through a role acting as a bridge between the hierarchy, the dressing room and the supporters.

If O’Neill’s time reaches its conclusion at the end of the campaign, another piece of silverware on Saturday would provide an opportunity to further strengthen his already significant legacy.